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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Paul T Smith

'Eyesore caravan' filled with wood in car park sparks fury from Grangemouth residents

Residents on a Grangemouth street say it's "only a matter of time" before an "eyesore caravan" filled with wood is set on fire.

Locals have hit out at Paragon Housing Association amid growing demands to have the caravan removed as a matter of safety.

The housing association is responsible for the land and Falkirk Council has said despite efforts to make contact about removing the vehicle, they've yet to be given the go ahead to uplift.

It it understood police have been called to the car park behind a block of flats on Strowan Road, as the vehicle is attracting youths and anti-social behaviour.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "It's only a matter of time before the caravan is set alight.

"Paragon have to remove it immediately.

The kitchen area of the caravan has been ripped out and left beside the vehicle (Supplied)

"It's been there for about a 10 months in the same condition and an absolute disaster to look at.

"It's a shell inside, has broken windows, and is filled with wood.

"Over the past few nights, the young team have been round and they were trying to tip it over.

"There was about five or six of them at one point and also talking about setting it on fire.

"The police came out, but said there was nothing they could do apart from make Falkirk Council and Paragon Housing aware.

"We have contacted Paragon numerous times."

A Falkirk Council spokesperson said: "The abandoned caravan is on private land belonging to Paragon Housing and we do not have their permission to remove it from their land.

"We have asked them for permission at the beginning of February.

"On 28 February Paragon told us that they would speak with their tenant and get back to us - we have yet to hear from them.

"We’re happy to have the caravan removed but Paragon need to authorise us to do so."

Paragon Housing Association said: "I can confirm that the Association is aware of the caravan.

"We understand that the caravan has been in the car park since last summer with the local authority serving an advisory note of abandonment and intention to remove.

"However as the owner came forward no further action was taken by them. In recent weeks the caravan has fallen into an increased state of disrepair.

"We have now contacted the owner asking them to move the caravan as they do not have association's permission to leave it in the car park.

"We agree that the van is becoming a potential health and safety concern and should not be allowed to remain indefinitely and are seeking to reach an agreement with the owner."

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