A man is begging the council to remove an "eyesore" mouldy caravan from outside his living room window after mould started spreading into his home.

Paul Davis has asked the city council three times to intervene and remove the burnt and mouldy van, which was abandoned outside his home in Chalfont Court since he moved in back in November 2023.

The 42-year-old says it's "practically the first thing I see each day", and added: "It just hits you, it's an eyesore."

Southampton City Council says they are unable to do anything as it is on private land.

But Paul, who moved to Shirley Warren from Portswood, says he thinks the council should act.

“I’ve never seen it move, not only that but it’s been burnt on the outside and mould is growing from it.

“It’s spread to the wood outside and up into my bedroom, in the winter it was really damp, and it’s left me fighting mould on a daily basis.

Damp and mould in Paul's bedroom (Image: Matt Davey)

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“My bedroom walls were newly painted when I moved in but now the mould has taken over.”

Frustrated with a lack of communication with the council, Paul felt as if he had nowhere else to turn to.

He said: “I’m sure other people round here wouldn’t miss seeing the van but as it’s directly outside my flat, it feels like I have to take responsibility and do something about it.

“Even if the council can’t move it, to not get a response is annoying.

“I’m inside most days and it just feels like nobody else cares.

“I’ve had enough, it’s just a horrible and mouldy van that’s impossible not to notice.”

Abandoned caravan in Shirley Warren (Image: Matt Davey)

Having lived in his new flat for eight months, Paul hopes he’ll soon be able to live in his new home free of worry.

“My two main problems are the van and the mould – I know I’ll have to deal with the mould myself – but if the van could be moved that would make so much difference.”

Councillor Keogh, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “This vehicle has been reported to the abandoned vehicles department once, recently.

“After initial investigation, it was concluded that as the vehicle is on private land we would need the landowner to contact us to arrange removal.

“We are unable to remove vehicles from private land without permission.”

He added: “Whilst we sympathise with the resident, we would encourage them to report it to their management company or landlord.”