ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour at an abandoned college in Poole is costing the council taxpayers around £42,000 a year, a meeting heard.
BCP Council is having to fork out the money in security costs every year for the former Bournemouth and Poole College site in Constitution Hill, Poole.
The site has been plagued by crime including arson since the college moved buildings in 2015.
In February last year, youths are believed to have started a fire in the old science labs, prompting around 40 firefighters to tackle the “out of control” blaze.
Bulldozers are expected to smash down seven of the buildings in January, after BCP Council’s cabinet agreed extra funding to continue with the planning and demolition process.
Cabinet member for housing Kieron Wilson said: “The demolition of the building will save around £42,000 in security costs and ensure that there are no longer the possibility for anti-social behaviour on the site.”
Residents of Jellicoe Close, behind the abandoned college, have previously told the Echo about the volume of ASB at the site – with one saying they “were expecting something like” the fire to happen.
Obscene graffiti, some with racist wording, has also been sprayed on the walls of buildings.
Ward councillor Crispin Goodall said: “The quicker it gets knocked down the better. The neighbours living in Jellicoe Close have had to put up with bad behaviour, the place has been burned, knocked down.
“There are listed buildings that have to be demolished because of the behaviour there and the quicker the better so that the people don’t have to put up with it anymore.”
A report put to cabinet said: “There are a high proportion of trees (covered by a blanket Tree Preservation Order), making the site vulnerable to anti-social behaviour.
“As a result, the council has incurred significant costs to keep the site secure with 24-hour on-site security and installing hoarding, to maintain the safety of the buildings and adjacent neighbour properties.”
On top of the initial officer-approved £430k, BCP’s cabinet has approved an extra £995k needed because of spiraling costs.
Of the 98 homes that are expected to be built, 76 are for social rent, 10 are temporary accommodation and 12 are specialist accommodation.
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