Crumbling buildings repair work delayed

Urgent repairs to crumbling buildings on a street in Leeds have been delayed until March because of legal complications.

Lower Kirkgate is one of the oldest streets in the city and has been closed since April following the partial collapse of a building.

In December, Leeds City Council served an urgent works notice that gave City Fusion Ltd 28 days to take action to fix the structures and if they did not, the council would carry the work out and reclaim the estimated £700,000 costs.

However, the process stalled after a change in ownership of some of the buildings which meant the owners now have a deadline of 12 March to begin work.

"We recognise the situation on Lower Kirkgate remains a source of frustration and concern for local businesses and residents," a council spokesperson said.

"We thank them for their continued patience as we work as quickly and efficiently as possible to find a solution."

The urgent works notice was first served on City Fusion on 18 December after permission was sought from the government.

The council subsequently found out that, prior to that date, ownership of five of the six properties had been transferred to a separate company, Kirkgate Land Residential Ltd.

It meant revised notices had to be served on both companies, with a new deadline for compliance of 3 February.

The notices were issued on 7 January and posted by recorded delivery.

However, there was then a further delay after the council had to track down the company directors and serve the notices by hand.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the council said: "Despite our best efforts, it appears that the serving of the urgent works notices to the registered business address of Kirkgate Land Residential and City Fusion on 7 January proved unsuccessful.

"We have therefore now re-served the notices in person at the home address of the directors of the two companies. The revised date for compliance with these notices is March 12."

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