Arsonists target derelict school

A DERELICT school building in Devonport has been vandalised after a fire was lit on the ground floor.

Fire fighters from Camels Head were called out to the old Stoke Damerel High School for Girls at 12.40am yesterday, after the fire was started deliberately, fire crew said.

A fire spokesperson said: "The fire was dealt with quickly using one hose heel and breathing apparatus, but it had the potential to become much bigger."

They added that the building had the added problem of used needles scattered on the ground.

This comes after The Herald reported in March that the school had become a haven for drug users and rough sleepers.

Plymouth City Council said yesterday that an untidy land notice under section 215 has been served on Simon Chung who owns the building.

A spokesperson for Plymouth City Council said: "These are issued where owners fail to voluntarily take steps needed to bring their buildings up to a reasonable condition externally."

They said that the owner has until September 20 to carry out a huge list of repairs or he could face prosecution.

"Officers from our building control and public protection teams have also been in extensive discussions with the owner over issues regarding security and safety on the site."

Cllr Nicky Wildy said: "This is what happens when owners do not properly maintain their buildings and leave them empty for a long time.

"It is time Mr Chung either developed the property or passed it on to someone who can. It is not fair on local residents."

Mr Chung said: "We're carrying out the work now and we hope to have it done by September. It looks a lot better."

The building is also involved in a public row over a phone mast between Vodafone and the residents in Stoke.

Vodafone have permission from Plymouth City Council to move a mast currently at the old school site to the corner of Masterman Road and Keppel Place, a location which is close by.

The phone company gave its reason for the move as due to the lack of security at the derelict school building.

A spokesman for Vodafone recently said: "The [Stoke Damerel High School] building is currently insecure and recently there have been a number of instances in which our equipment has been vandalised and damaged. We have requested that the landlord of the site secure the building to prevent further vandalism, but unfortunately he is unable to."