Trippier House, Colchester, is finally secured by its owner

The Trippier House site, in Blackthorn Avenue, Greenstead, had been repeatedly targeted by vandals in recent months.

It led to Colchester Council serving its owners a Section 215 Notice, meaning they must clear up and secure the site by June 23 or face legal action.

The former care home has now been surrounded by wooden boarding and workers are at the premises with skips clearing up damaged materials.

Secured - Trippier House

Greenstead councillor Tim Young, who has been fighting for months to see the site secured, said he wants to see it put to good use now.

He said: “In truth I’m relieved but a bit dismayed we had to go to the lengths we had to in order to get the company to sort it, this should’ve been done as soon as the firm acquired the site.

“It had been an absolute eyesore, not just for us but for the residents too who were getting angry and frustrated and had expressed their disappointment to us.

“The company has got to make a real effort to get in there now. There are skips clearing the site and taking away damaged property and rubbish so this is a step in the right direction.

Pleased - Greenstead councillor Tim Young

“We now want to see a planning application which outlines how the site will be improved.”

Mr Young added he believes anti-social behaviour has improved in recent weeks and explained he has seen a more prominent police presence in Greenstead.

He said: “I don’t like to tempt providence but yes, things seem to have improved. There’s still the odd incident but you get that everywhere.”

Fellow Greenstead councillor Julie Young also celebrated the news, having battled the company to take action.

She said: “I am really glad the site is finally secured and hope the owner now moves forward in submitting their plans to develop the site, or transfer ownership to Colchester Council which could make good use of the land.”