RESIDENTS are pleading that a closed nursing home earmarked for flats is shut off claiming the disused site has been vandalised and used for drug taking.

Plans to demolish Pinebeach Nursing Home - which closed in 2015 - and build 10 flats with parking are awaiting council review.

A resident of the area, who asked not to be named, said: “Ever since the nursing home closed down it has been left to become more and more derelict, and has frequently been used by rough sleepers, drug takers and has recently become the target of vandals.

“The police have been called out numerous times to deal with these problems but the owners have made no attempt to secure the building. Surely valuable police resources, paid for by the public, should not be wasted protecting private property which the owners appear to have abandoned.”

An application was first submitted in February 2016 but later withdrawn after issues were raised about the flat roof and the proposed footprint. Planning permission was granted in December for an amended scheme which included a pitched roof. Residents have until March 20 to comment on the new application.

Ward councillor Trevor Watts said he would be speaking to council officers to see if the site can be cordoned off.

“A lot of people are unhappy that nothing seems to be happening,” he said. “I believe the council can speak to the developers to clean the site up and make it more secure and I will be saying that on behalf of the residents.

“We understand there is a development going on but we do like to see the place looking nice and not going to rack and ruin.”

Chairman of the Friars Cliff Residents Association, Marianne Abley, said: “Residents have expressed their concern and there is an understanding there has been some recent vandalism but we understand the owners are planning to board it up.”

Gavin Barnes, community safety officer for Christchurch and East Dorset Councils, said: “We have been made aware of anti-social behaviour at the former Pinebeach Nursing Home in Friars Cliff. Following discussions with our Building Control department, we are now working with Dorset Police and the owners of the building. We take the complaints we have received seriously and strive to prevent further incidents.”

The applicant - Lifecaring Holdings Ltd - had not responded to requests for comment, at the time of going to press.