THE FIRST stage of council-funded maintenance to a Grade Two listed building in Witheridge has been carried out.

Last month the

Journal

reported on North Devon Council's decision to pay £13,920 for "essential" weatherproofing work on the privately owned thatched cottage.

The end-of-terrace property at 9 Fore Street suffered devastating damage in January 2009 when the chimney collapsed through the roof and first floor of the property.

For the past year it has remained unoccupied, with a large hole in the roof and plastic sheeting blowing about in the wind.

The building is now surrounded by a large, council-owned scaffolding rig which was erected last week.

It has been slated by many villagers for being "ugly" but district cllr Jeremy Yabsley believes it serves its purpose well.

He said: "It may not be the prettiest thing in the world but it does the job.

"We are actively pursuing the owner for repairs and have instructed our legal department to pursue his mortgage company to recover the council's money.

"If we need to take it to court we will."

Next-door neighbour Edward Plummer said he is happy the council have acted.

He said: "When the chimney fell in it took off a corner of our roof and we've had problems with water leaking through.

"However the building is now well covered and we are satisfied that it protects our property as it should.

"It's a lot of taxpayers' money to spend but a good job don't come cheap.

"I hope the repair work starts soon. Both my wife and I are keen to see the end of this fiasco."

Cllr Yabsley added: "The owner does now seem to be taking some action which is good news.

"A compulsory purchase order is still an option for the council but it is a fair way off and we would sooner see the owner make repairs to the property."