Call for action on 'eyesore' car site in Wisbech
A Wisbech councillor is calling for urgent action over an eyesore she describes as a “slum”.
Virginia Bucknor says she has been fighting for over a year to get action taken on the former Wisbech Vehicle Exchange site - but without success.
She raised the issue again at this month’s full Fenland District Council meeting and has since written to council leader Coun Chris Seaton.
Posting on the Fenland Political Scene Facebook page Mrs Bucknor is urging others to do the same in a bid to pressurise the council into action on the site, which has become the property of the Crown Estate after the previous owner went bankrupt.
She told Coun Seaton: “This really is wholly unacceptable. This is becoming a fiasco similar to the Constantine House saga. I have been asking for a year what is being done.
“Officers drip information to me after I request an update but following my request in April this year, I was advised a meeting was being held that day.
“Since then, despite my request by email and at last week’s council meeting, I have received nothing.
“You had a meeting and what did you decide? The Vehicle Exchange slum is on one of the major arteries into Wisbech.
“Whilst FDC have challenges dealing with Crown Estates, which I do appreciate, leaving it and doing nothing is unacceptable.
“Have you asked for assistance from our MP to try and get it resolved? Is he in a position to help?”
Mrs Bucknor said residents in the Black Bear Lane area are totally fed-up with the eyesore, which has become a dumping ground for tyres and other rubbish.
“The site looks bad enough from the front, but it is even worse at the back, which is close to a lovely housing estate, where the residents are at their wits’ end over the mess.”
She added the premises were fenced off after a major fire on the site but nothing has been done since and shards of glass still hang from the building.
“It is not only an eyesore slum, it is also dangerous. I would urge everyone to write to their local councillor, the MP and the local papers.
“Pressure needs to be put on by all of us to get this eyesore dealt with.”
She added to Coun Seaton: “Whilst this is not in my ward, it is literally ‘over the road’ and residents keep complaining to me. We all need answers and action.
“This is about dealing with the environment and an absolute eyesore which everyone sees as they enter Wisbech.”
A spokesman for Fenland District Council said: “Fenland District Council continues to proactively liaise with the Crown Estate over the Wisbech Vehicle Exchange.
“While the legal situation regarding the site is both complex and frustrating, we are as keen to see it brought back into use as the rest of the community and will continue to do what we can to facilitate this.”
