Our nightmare neighbour’s ‘eyesore’ garden is so overgrown residents are moving out – he’s ignoring orders to clear it
FUMING locals have slammed their neighbour's "eyesore" garden and claim he refuses to clean it up.
Richard Marklew, 55, was given two months by the council to clear the outside space at his Wigan home after neighbours complained.
But he ignored the March deadline and was this week handed a hefty court bill for failing to comply with the order.
Residents have now told how some neighbours were so put off by the overgrown mess that they have moved away.
Others still living on the street fear their house prices will plummet as a result of the mess.
They are calling on Wigan Council to take further action to ensure Marklew tidies up his property.
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John Byron told The Sun Online: "It’s not on is it? Most people look after their homes. But that one is a disgrace.
“I don’t know what the next stage is but the council need to take more action.”
His wife Rose, 63, added: “It’s an absolute eyesore.
“I walk past it every day and just think, “Oh my God.’
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“He had everything cut down once but it all just grew back and now it’s in a right state.”
Marklew was ordered in January to cut the vegetation from his front and rear garden, remove ivy from the brickwork and roof, replace or repair the guttering, and clean and paint the porch door and window frames.
He was hauled before magistrates in Wigan where he pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the notice.
Marklew was fined £700 - with a total bill of £1,402 due to court costs and a victim services surcharge.
Gary Northall, 61, who lives next-door to Marklew, also labelled the house an “eyesore” and said he was worried about the garden becoming home to pests.
“The ivy is coming through the roof tiles and into the attic of our house,” he added.
“I’ve tried talking to him about the state of his garden but he just doesn’t seem interested.
“I also contacted the council year’s ago but now it’s come to this.
“I am hoping he’ll no take some action, but I can’t see it happening.”
While Elaine Owens, 42, who lives opposite Gary and his wife, said: “I feel sorry for them having to put up with that next door - it’s awful.
“It’s just the way it looks.
“When he [Marklew] cut down the tree in his garden, people though he would look after it a bit more.
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“But it’s been like that for year’s now.”
Marklew did not respond to requests for comment.
