I have seen homeless people coming out of the property on my way to work in the morning and I made contact with maguire Jackson who had a for sale sign on display. MJ advised me they were no longer acting for the vendor and their sign was later taken down. I took the issue up with the police as I was concerned for the safety of my female flat mate using the road late at night. Sadly the gentleman I spoke to was not interested and no action was taken. In reality had my flat mate later been attacked or mugged (after I had reported that th property was insecure and being used as a squat to the police) the police/vendors or council’s complete lack of action could be deemed negligent given the real risk of injury or harm to local people being reasonably foreseeable.

The council have a duty to ensure the vendor properly maintains this property and it is failing to fulfil its remit or legal obligation. The fact is the vendor has left this place to rot. Time for a compulsorary purchase order rather than bury your head in the sand BCC! I was happy to learn of plans to re develop the old school at the top of Legge lane, but it is not clear when or if this will happen?. This unloved corner of the jewellery quarter has real potential and I urge the powers that be to kick start the regeneration before the opportunity to change has been lost forever. Most if not all my friends regard living in the jewellery quarter as a privilege. We need to nurture this unique village within the big city, not neglect it! I hope my views do not fall on deaf ears.

Talking on Twitter earlier, it appears that there is a wider problem of buildings that look OK but can’t be inhabited until they have repairs – in this instance a BCC-owned building.

It makes one wonder whether the high vacancy rates which suggest not enough interest are actually caused by buildings in disrepair putting tenants off?

It’d be good to see some general housekeeping done along Legge Lane.

BTW. Everyone loves the JQ, keep up the good work!!