A Bradford mum-of-four says she is scared to let her children play outside because of drug use and dumped rubbish at the derelict building next door.

Louise Morrell, 34, has lived at Sandholme Drive, Thorpe Edge, for six years – and she says the abandoned property has presented a health hazard since she moved in.

“I’ve heard needles have been found there, so we know people use drugs there,” she said. “It doesn’t have a roof. It’s just a carcass of a house.

“The muck that flows through comes into my garden. It’s just taking too long for the Council to sort it out. I’m sick of the sight of it.

“It can be intimidating with people hanging around, you shouldn’t have to shy away from people on your own doorstep. I want to know my children are safe.”

She said she wanted Incommunities, the social housing landlord which owns her house, to provide secure fencing to protect her property from the one next door.

“If my garden was secure it would keep my kids safe,” she said. “I don’t want them to play out anymore. It’s just a dumping ground. We had rats in the back which the kids have played with, and so many pigeons.”

An Incommunities spokesman said: “In February, 2010 the tenant contacted our local neighbourhood office about the condition of the garden next door.

“The matter was referred immediately to the appropriate authority as the property is not owned by Incommunities and we were therefore not in a position to assist further.”

The spokesman said Incommunities had no record of a request for fence improvements but would contact Mrs Morrell to discuss the matter.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: “We are in the process of compulsorily purchasing 35 Sandholme Drive which is currently privately-owned but has been abandoned.

“If we are successful, the ownership will then be transferred and we will bring it back into use.

“Our street scene team cleared the garden on March 2 this year as environmental health had received complaints about the state of the property.

“The Council has a team of officers dedicated to supporting owners of empty homes in bringing them back into use. The team also leads enforcement action to bring empty homes back into use where this is appropriate.”