AN ABANDONED detached house left to ruin for five years would make a lovely home to a family in need, according to a neighbour who is calling for the council to track down its owners.
Jean White says the house on Carlton Road, Smithies, hasn't been lived in for five years. It has been burgled and all the copper piping has been stripped from inside by thieves resulting in extensive damage. Outside it is severely overgrown and trees have been growing out of control with branches tangling with telegraph wires and even obstructing passing buses.
"I think if someone is going to let a house get into that state, they don't deserve to have it," said Jean, 83. "There are lots of people who need homes. It's totally wrong."
Several readers got in touch this week to report their frustrations about abandoned and dilapidated houses across the Barnsley area.
Full story in this week's Chronicle, dated Friday October 23.
