An abandoned Widnes property is leaving children terrified and causing outrage from those living nearby due to how overgrown it has now become.
Neighbours fear they will be left facing thousands of pounds worth of damage to their home as a result of living so close to the property.
Residents living in Alfred Street said that since their former neighbour moved out four years ago, the property has become so wildly overgrown it has become a minor tourist attraction, with local children branding it "the monster house".
They said the property’s owner – who studied horticulture – had promised to deal with the green menace but has so far failed to do so. They also called out Halton Council’s environmental health department but so far they have not taken any action either.
Paul Miller, who lives next door to the property, compared the sight to something from an iconic sci-fi novel where the Earth was invaded by carnivorous giant plants.
he said: “It’s like something from Day of the Triffids. You expect it to drag you into the garden and eat you or something.”
Funeral director Paul, 52, said the empty house’s front garden is crammed with ivy, a tree, brambles and ‘"all sorts" and people have also thrown bottles and rubbish into the undergrowth.
Dog walkers have left bags full of their pet's excrement, and passers-by have stopped to pick blackberries.
He added: “You see people walking past and stopping to take pictures, people have said ‘you should run jungle tours’.”
Paul enlisted the services of a professional surveyor to compile a report on the damage. It found that the blockages in the gutters have caused water damage to his home which he estimates to be in the region of £4,000.
Wife Beverley, 53, has lived at the property of 22 years.
She said: “I just think it’s disgusting.”
She said environmental health officers from the council have been to visit the property but no action has been taken.
She added: “The situation has become unbearable.”
“Halton Council are refusing to get involved in spite of their having legislative powers to do so.”
In a response, the property’s owner Jeff Duggan, said: “The two ivy plants will be cut down next week, I’m sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
Halton Borough Council has yet to respond to a request for comment.
