Anger over state of village buildings

Fed-up residents in a village near Whitchurch are calling on council bosses to take action as crumbling buildings are presenting the area "in a bad light".

Villagers in Prees say they are sick of looking at listed buildings in disrepair at The Square in the centre of the village, and have called for something to be done.

They have formed the Prees Matters Group and are urging residents to join forces and campaign for work on the buildings at a meeting on Tuesday at 7.30pm in the village hall.

The group has also taken its campaign online and has launched a site for people to share their views on The Square at www.thesquareprees.ning.com

Paul Nash, who is behind the campaign, said the listed buildings had fallen into ruin to such an extent that they were causing an eyesore and representing the village in a bad light.

He said: "The centre of Prees village, a conservation area, has been the subject of local concern for some time.

"Despite continued calls for action nothing has been done and now the community are saying they want action."

Laura Owen, Shropshire Council spokeswoman, said: "We are aware of this issue. The buildings have become dilapidated due to complexity of ownership. However, this has been resolved and the owner of one building has been carrying out work on this since Christmas. Once this is finished he will then begin work on the other buildings."