Press Releases
Council puts a stop to filthy squat (pr1175)
Tonnes of filth were hauled from a rancid squat as Ealing Council officers stepped in to shut it down.
Grimy clothes, drugs paraphernalia, and a large amount of pornographic material were among the 10 tonnes of waste removed during the massive clearout at the property, in Uxbridge Road, Ealing Common.
As well as living in filth the occupants had also decided to use the alley next to the house as a toilet. They left their faeces smeared on sleeping bags inside the house, which is thought to be worth about £1.7 million.
The last squatter moved out on Thursday, 14 February, after most of the building had been boarded up the previous day.
Ealing Council had already taken steps to get rid of the squatters by serving various notices on the owner of the property, Fabiola Leighton.
In September she was prosecuted at Acton Magistrates’ Court for failing to supply information about who owns the house. Leighton, who lives in Potters Bar, was fined £3,000 and had to pay costs of £1,968.95. In December a notice was served requiring her to board up the premises and garage. The Council ended up doing it and will be billing her for the work.
Councillor Ian Green, Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Housing, said: "This place was a total eyesore. I’m delighted that we have now been able to put a stop to it, and the misery it was causing for people living nearby.
"I have never seen so much filth, our officers worked very hard to get this result and their perseverance has certainly paid off."
The Council is now considering using compulsory purchase powers
to take over the property.