With the election over and with the dust beginning to settle, our latest prime minister certainly now has his work cut out. Time to roll up the sleeves, get stuck in and make a noticeable difference. With so many problems to fix it will obviously take time but the British public want results, as it’s what they voted for.
I had hoped to be able to report some results myself. You may recall the article published nearly five months ago (Mermaid Street, what’s happening? ) which highlighted the issues being caused by the lack of maintenance at 9 Mermaid Street and the expected progress which we had hoped would have been made. The photo below was taken in February this year.
The lead photo was taken last Saturday July 6 2024. Can you spot the difference?
When I came up Mermaid Street last Saturday, the road was closed to motorists. At last I thought, the road has been closed to enable the works to commence on the fascia of no 9. Alas this was not the case. Mermaid Street had been closed for essential works by UK Power Networks and had nothing to do with Rother District Council who are responsible for arranging for remedial works on the property to be carried out.
Looking at the building it seems nothing has changed since I last visited nearly 6 months ago. There is still no guttering along the front, with rain water running down the tiles falls directly onto the street and down the front of the building and as the photos show, the dormer window is in a dangerous state. I assume it wouldn’t take a lot to dislodge the glass in the rotten frames; if it fell and hit a pedestrian it could cause a serious injury.
The neighbours in no 8 are still suffering from the effects of damp and water penetration which is pointless repairing until the root cause has been rectified, that is, the neglect caused by the neighbouring property. The neighbours have communicated with those responsible at Rother District Council and have been assured that local builders have visited to prepare quotes. After contacting the enforcement team, I was told that training courses, conferences and holidays have hampered progress but the contractors were being chased.
Admittedly, this very changeable weather hasn’t made life any easier but surely, after 5 months it’s not unreasonable to expect some progress or am I being unrealistic?
If Sir Kier Starmer can form a government and appoint a cabinet as quickly as he did, why can’t a Grade 11 listed building which has been falling into a serious state of disrepair for the past five years be at least made safe as a matter of urgency?
Doesn’t it matter that all the visitors who come to Rye and in particular Mermaid Street have to wonder why this important building has seemingly fallen to the bottom of the things-to-do pile?
Image Credits: Nick Forman .
I understand that the owner, who was being cared for away from the property and who had not given permission for repairs, has recently died. Depending on inheritance the situation may now change.
It is good to hear that there are at least plans to repair no 9 Mermaid Street and that Rother’s enforcement team are working on this. Fingers crossed that there will be a timely and useful conclusion not only for the sake of no 9, but for the health and wellbeing of the immediate neighbours and for the preservation of the beautiful neighbourhood.
As Nick Forman points out, a similar situation exists at 20 Landgate – another Grade II listed house -this one has been empty for at least 20 years. 20 Landgate sits on a main route into Rye for our many visitors and is in an appalling state with boarded up windows at front and rear, leaking and collapsing roof and a host of other problems. 20 Landgate has been known to Rother’s enforcement team for many years. I appreciate that there have been some complications with inheritance which I assume have been resolved. However, a recent failed attempt at sale has resulted in 20 Landgate being taken off the market by the owners (not local) and we seem to be back at square one or worse.
My house is next door to 20 Landgate and also grade 2 listed. I and many other residents take seriously a duty of care to our homes – maintaining historic buildings in good condition helps to preserve our architectural heritage and the many characteristics which make Rye special and attractive to our visitors. However, there seems to be nothing that we can do as neighbours to enforce essential repairs to neglected empty buildings. Councils do have powers to enforce repairs or indeed sale of empty properties, for example https://www.rother.gov.uk/news/legislation-allows-council-to-sell-empty-eyesore. Rother District Council please help us here in Rye!