COUNCIL officials say they could take legal action against half of all properties in the Churchill Gardens area of Boscombe after complaints about a new home improvement guide.

As reported in the Daily Echo, residents were sent leaflet 'A short guide to improving your property' in the post last week.

Homeowners are urged to carry out works to their addresses, including repainting front doors in a ‘dark colour’ and removing ‘unnecessary’ satellite dishes and aerials.

The guide also instructs recipients to re-pave paths with terracotta and black tiles with barley twist edging, re-point brickwork and replace ‘non-original or poor quality features’.

One resident, who didn't want to be named, said Churchill Gardens is "plagued with drug abuse, crime, thefts and assaults", adding: "What’s the point of painting your front door a different colour if there’s a drug addict shooting up when you go outside?"

However, Sue Bickler, council head of community regeneration, told the Echo: "The council is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and problem properties, but also to working with property owners to improve the character of the area.

"Churchill Gardens is a conservation area, and as such it’s important that its various original and distinguishing features are protected.

"To this end, we’ve individually assessed all 98 properties in the area.

"Of these, 90 require improvement and out of this 90, 46 are in such a poor state of maintenance that, legally, we could choose to take enforcement action now.

"However, we have instead maintained contact with property owners, and set out to each individual property the work that is needed in order to meet the required standards.

"We have £394,000 of grant funding available to help restore original boundary walls, and are proactively contacting all owners who are eligible to receive a grant.

"All properties have received guidance on the type of features that are protected through conservation area status, to help them visualise the improvements expected."

Mrs Bickler said the council is also working to tackle anti-social behaviour and drug problems in the area.

"Alongside assisting property owners with these positive improvements, our work to tackle anti-social behaviour and help vulnerable people in the Churchill Gardens area has seen 136 referrals for support, plus a recent anti-social behaviour injunction and the closure of a property where severe anti-social behaviour was taking place," she said.

"Our parks team clean Churchill Gardens daily, including weekends.

"People can call 01202 451629 to report needles or sex-related litter, and our teams will respond the same day."

Ward councillor Chris Wakefield said he "couldn't understand" those who "bash Boscombe".

"There has been a financial investment from the council, as well as the investment of people who give time and effort to their community," he said.