Vandals rip roof off neglected cottage

VANDALS have stepped up attacks on a picturesque cottage in Daisy Nook country park — while council talks over its future continue.

Hencote Cottage, built in the 1800s, is a listed building owned by the National Trust. But it has lain unoccupied and neglected for 10 years and has suffered countless attacks of vandalism — the latest has seen its roof ripped apart.

In 2001, Oldham Council accepted a 10-year repair lease to maintain the property and grounds.

Now Failsworth councillor and Labour leader Jim McMahon is demanding action. He said: “I want the council to bring the lease to a conclusion and to commit to funding the repairs.

“I also want the council to come forward with plans to ensure this cannot happen again, and to apologise that this has been allowed to happen when better planning would have avoided it.

“Even if the council carries out the repairs it is still taxpayers money which could have been spent on other things.”

The National Trust said it was “very aware” of the state of disrepair at the cottage. Several meetings had taken place with council representatives but work specified under the lease had not been done.

A spokesman said a list of repair works that needed doing had been drawn up and given to the council in May.

The council had earmarked the cottage as the site of a visitor centre for use by local people with learning difficulties.