Demolition plan sparks safety fears for children

Safety concerns have been raised over plans to demolish a boarded-up building shortly before schools break up for the summer holiday.

Plymouth City Council wants work on Douglass House in Efford to begin on 13 July and last seven weeks, with the site later set to be turned into 21 homes.

But residents said the timing could put children at risk, as the building sits next to a busy play area.

The council said the building had become "unsafe and uninhabitable" after a fire in March and risked further damage or anti-social behaviour if left.

Pre-approval for the work involving heavy construction traffic accessing the site is being sought from the council's planning department.

One opponent, representing a group of neighbours, said they were worried that "insufficient consideration appears to have been given to the children's play area situated adjacent to Douglass Road and owned and maintained by Plymouth City Council".

They said the play area had no perimeter fencing and was accessed from several roads, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported.

The group representative said "large numbers of children of varying ages use the facility throughout the day", including those travelling alone or on bikes and scooters.

They said residents were concerned that heavy construction traffic would "significantly increase vehicle movements" close to an area used by children.

Plymouth City Council said it had planned to demolish the boarded up property, previously used as an adult learning disabilities and support hub, at a later stage once a housing developer was involved.

However, there were concerns about a further arson and anti-social behaviour around it following a fire in March which damaged the roof and other elements.

It said a structural report said demolition should be carried out "as soon as possible" as the property was exposed to the elements.

The council submitted a construction phase plan and traffic management plan.

It said traffic marshals, controlled vehicle movements and safety measures would be in place, and working hours would be between 08:00 BST and 18:00 on weekdays with noisy activities restricted to between 09:00 and 17:00.

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