Today, the elderly Devon bungalow owner admitted to responsibility for its condition. However, he said that he had suffered from a variety of health issues and was now caring for his mother.
Derek Harris (78), a retired local government worker, admitted to the responsibility for Tiverton’s decrepit state. Peter Chidgey, who is 69, stated that he had been left frustrated and preferred to see squatters move in.
Since 1984, Mr Chidgey and his wife have lived in the detached bungalow on Anstey Crescent. They say problems with neighbouring properties began years earlier. After Mr Harris, the absentee owner of the home, moved away around eight years ago, it has since been overgrown by shrubs and bushes in its garden.
It had been empty since Harris’s move to Okehampton, Mr Chidgey claimed. Former service engineer claimed that his offer of helping to maintain the property and maintaining it tidy was rejected.
Harris answered MailOnline’s questions about today’s condition. He said: “It is my fault.” They will get it sorted. It will be resolved in a short time. These are the circumstances that have made it difficult for the virus to spread over the years.
Peter Chidgey, 69, who is ‘frustrated’ with his neighbour’s ‘messy’ bungalow said he’d rather squatters moved in next door to him because ‘at least they’d look after it’. Chidgey said he was fed up of the untidy shrubs and he feels a bit guilty about it.
Mr Chidgey (pictured) has been living in the semi-detached bungalow on Anstey Crescent in Tiverton, Devon with his wife for 34 years and says problems with the adjoining property started years ago
If he could afford it, Mr Chidgey stated that he would own the property. He said, “Now I am hoping that the enforcement unit at the council will get out my finger.”
‘I’m in poor health. I am almost 80. The virus is spreading fast, so you shouldn’t take chances.
He stated that he had always intended to sell the property. It was very hard to sort it out. The possibility existed that the item might be sold.
It was supposed to be sold through an auction. But, they allowed me to finish the work in a fortnight. This is something I could not do because of the virus. High blood pressure, cholesterol and two other cancers scares are all part of my life. You don’t want to take any chances when you reach my age, and there’s the Covid virus.
According to him, he had lived on the property for approximately 16 years before being forced from his home.
‘I was responsible for my elderly mother’s care and had to get out. While my mother has died, she was still able to see the house every other week.
“This will be solved, but with lockdown, it was ‘You should’t’ do this or that, but because of my age and other health issues, I haven’t been able to make that happen.”
After Mr Chidgey had said that the house is in chaos and no one has ever made any improvements, it is now. It’s not clear why he didn’t sell it. Two years have passed since he last saw me. He refused to let me know that he wanted maintenance.
“There are holes in the roof. It especially affects me when it’s in my backyard. These neighbors are getting tired too. Around three years ago the council served an enforcement notice on the owner, asking them for improvements. Nothing has been done. It is very disappointing to see. It’s very frustrating to see.
Mr Chidgey stated that the roof is leaking and called for the authorities to take action, despite previous statements from them in 2014.
The privately owned property has been taken over by overgrown bushes and shrubs in the garden after its absentee owner moved out around eight years ago to Okehampton in South Devon
An ex-service engineer Mr Chidgey even offered to assist the owner with maintaining and tidying the property in his absence, but was turned down
Chidgey stated that he is grateful not to have to face the front garden, and that he feels sorry for neighbors who live opposite.
He added: ‘If I had the money I’d buy it myself. I hope the enforcement unit at the council will take action. It’s just so much.
“I’d rather have squatters here than this,” he said. At least they would make an effort to care for it. It’s a horrible mess.
Although Mr Chidgey stated that the property was good for birdsong and blackberries, he called for immediate attention from the authorities to clean up the bungalow.
Spokesman for Mid Devon District Council said that they dealt with Anstey Crescent, Tiverton a 2014 complaint and advised there were no untoward events at the location.
“The team received no additional complaints after that. Please visit our website for more information or to report an alleged violation.