ALMOST 200 residents have signed a petition to bring a Worsbrough Common street back to its former glory after being left in ‘no man’s land’ for over a decade.
Residents living around the Dillington Terrace area say they have been forgotten about in recent years - with the area becoming a fly-tipping haven filled with rubbish and vermin.
The area began to fall into disrepair following the liquidation of the firm which built the Highstone View estate.
Couns Phil Wright and Steve Bullcock, of the Kingstone ward, investigated residents’ concerns and found that part of the land is now under the Crown’s estate control.
Coun Wright told the Chronicle that the council do not want to take responsibility or expense for carrying out repairs to the site which they do not own - ultimately leaving locals in ‘no man’s land’.
He added: “We are fully aware the residents of Dillington Terrace and its surrounding roads in Worsbrough Common have had enough.
“For 14 long years, the wall and land adjacent to Dillington Terrace have been left in a state of disrepair, becoming an eyesore and a health hazard for the community.
“The once vibrant green space has been overtaken by overgrowth, fly-tipping, and infestations of rats and vermin.
“However, the neighbourhood is fighting back, rallying together to reclaim their beloved green space.
“A recent petition has got nearly 200 signatures from local residents, all demanding immediate action to restore the area to its former glory.”
He added that the frustrations of the community have now reached ‘a boiling point’ and the pair have created a plan of action for restoration.
This includes clearing overgrown vegetation, removing the fly-tipped waste, implementing pest control measures and engaging with locals to establish a long-term maintenance plan.
Coun Wright added: “The restoration of the land adjacent to Dillington Terrace is not just a matter of physical repairs - it is also about rebuilding the sense of community that has been lost over the years.
“The residents are eager to reclaim their green space and transform it back into a place where people can gather, children can play, and families can enjoy outdoor activities.
“The plight of the land adjacent to Dillington Terrace is a stark reminder of the impact of long-term neglect on a community.
“However, the determination to restore the green space is a testament to the power of collective action.
“With nearly 200 signatures on the petition and the support of local authorities and organisations, there is hope that this once-vibrant area will be revitalised and returned to the community.”
Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, told the Chronicle: “The issues with the land at Dillington Terrace remain unresolved as the adjoining wall has partially collapsed onto council land and it is not the council's responsibility to maintain the wall.
"The wall forms part of land owned by a company which went into administration, making the Crown the legal owner.
“However, the Crown disclaimed the land, meaning it has no liability for its upkeep or to manage it as an owner.
"The effect of removing the materials which have fallen onto council land are unknown without substantial investigations being undertaken, and we have been advised not to take on the responsibility for maintaining the land as doing so would mean we would effectively become or be considered owners of it, which would mean taking on significant and unnecessary liabilities.
“We have fenced off the area to ensure that it is safe and will continue to monitor the situation with regard to land ownership and responsibility.”
