A DARLINGTON resident has slammed the council for a "lack of action" after an abandoned family home turned into a dumping ground for flytippers.

The unused property on Yarm Road has since been described as an "eyesore" and an "absolute deterrent" for those looking to move to the area.

The semi-detached home, which is believed to be privately-owned, has laid dormant and in a state of disrepair since being set on fire three years ago.

A resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, told The Northern Echo that they had been contacting the council for the past three years to get involved without success.

They said: "It's getting worse, people are going by and throwing dog poo bags into the garden area – it's an absolute eyesore, all the windows are smashed through.

"I have contacted the council and the council's environmental team but nothing has happened, it's disgusting."

Under current law, local authorities have the power to force the sale of an empty home without the owner's permission as a "last resort."

If the owner has fallen into debt to the local authority, secured on the empty home, the local authority can force the property's sale as a means to recover lost money.

However, the resident believes the council has not done enough to prevent the Yarm Road home from falling into its current state.

The resident said: "Why haven't they done it. When a house becomes like it has done, everything around it starts to go down with it.

"Every day I go down and I think ‘oh my god’ it’s just getting worse.

"The kids are seen throwing stuff into the garden – drink and food packets. I don’t want to see it every day.”

In response, Councillor Jonathan Dulston, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities at Darlington Borough Council said "every effort" was being made to contact the home's owner.

He said: “I understand and share neighbours’ concerns about the condition of the property – there is no doubt that an empty property, especially one that is boarded up, can be an eyesore.

"Members of the Private Sector Housing and Environmental Health teams have been out and found that although in an untidy state, the property is secure.

"The council is making every effort to make contact with the owner to urge them to take appropriate action to tidy up the property as soon as possible.