A derelict former housing office which has been a magnet for antisocial behaviour is set to be demolished.

The former area housing office in Lordshill, which has sat abandoned for twelve years, is set to be razed to the ground after an application, submitted by officers at the council last month, was approved by the authority's own planners on Tuesday.

In the years since its 2012 closure, the building has been described as an "eyesore" by residents and has attracted antisocial behaviour.

Front of the Area Housing Office Front of the Area Housing Office (Image: NQ) According to a freedom of information request submitted by the Conservatives in the Coxford ward, the building costs the council £10,500 per year in business rates and security.

The site, near Sainsbury's at Lordshill Centre, could now be developed into housing.

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Conservative councillor Jeremy Moulton said: “People in Lordshill really want to see the site developed into something of benefit and value to the community.

“There have been a number of housing schemes in the past, but the council don’t seem to have got any off the ground – as a result families in the city on the housing register have potentially missed out on new homes while the council themselves have missed out on council tax.”

Residents living near the site have said the area has attracted youths and anti-social behaviour in recent years and that they support the plan to demolish the abandoned building.

One resident of the nearby Chelveston Crescent said: “I think the building and the space could have been used for so many things over the years.

This is how the building looked while it was open in 2010This is how the building looked while it was open in 2010 (Image: NQ) “It's an absolute eyesore – we would be delighted if they put houses there just to stop the anti-social behaviour.”  

Another Chelveston Crescent resident of seven years said: “We often see big groups of teens around the building drinking and smoking – these groups have been as large as 20 people and have spilled onto our road.

“It’s been an issue since we lived here – I have even had my car damaged as a result of theses teenagers.

“We watch them try and climb the barriers the housing office.”

Demolition works can only take place between 8am and 6pm on weekdays and 9am and 1pm on Saturdays, and demolition is prohibited below ground.