Historic Ely House in Wisbech is a no-go area for three months thanks to legal action
An historic house which has blighted a community in Wisbech with persistent criminality and anti-social behaviour has been shut down by Fenland District Council.
The authority successfully secured a Closure Order on the Grade II-listed Ely House yesterday (Thursday) following an application to Cambridge Magistrates’ Court under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
The three month court order closes the property with immediate effect, providing respite to local residents and safeguarding the property from further deterioration.
The order, which is supported by Cambridgeshire Police, makes it a criminal offence for any unauthorised persons to enter the address. Members of the local community are now being urged to help enforce the order by reporting anyone entering the property to the police.
Councillor Susan Wallwork, Fenland’s portfolio holder for communities, said: “We are very pleased to have obtained a Closure Order for this property, which recognises our ongoing commitment to making our communities safer.
“Closing premises is not a decision taken lightly but shows we are prepared to take the firm action necessary to address the complaints we have received about this address from both members of the public and several Wisbech councillors.
“There has been a copious amount of work going on to address the complex issues on this privately owned site, involving council officers from community safety, housing, planning enforcement, conservation and environmental health. It has been a team effort to secure all the evidence needed to bring it to court and enable this safeguarding action to take place.
“Getting this property closed for three months will give residents the peace and quiet they deserve and enable us to implement a long term solution. Any persons entering the house during that period will also commit a criminal offence which will be robustly enforced.”
Anyone who witnesses unauthorised persons entering the property, breaching the Closure Order, is urged to report it to police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
