A derelict Bolton cottage which residents believed could have killed someone due to its poor condition has now been demolished.
Last month, The Bolton News reported how residents were concerned about the dilapidated state of Ivy Cottage in Smithills.
With a caved-in roof and walls damaged through vandalism, residents raised concerns that someone could have been "killed" due to the state of the cottage, which had stood for 500 years and is said to have held Oliver Cromwell's troops during the English Civil War.
Now, the formerly picturesque cottage, which stood on Cunliffe Brow, off Ivy Road, has been demolished.
Cllr Roger Hayes of Smithills said: "We have been involved in trying to get Ivy Cottage safe for a while.
"We had an officer who took his own time to visit on Wednesday evening and he has said anything more that needs to be done will be done.
"The demolition was carried out by the council on behalf of the owner of the property. It's a shame because it has got quite a history, and I can remember when it was still lived in.
"Residents have said they have caught people trying to fly tip in the area, and that needs to stop."
Cllr Garry Veevers, also of Smithills, said: "Councillor Priest was involved first, she was trying to get it sorted before the school holidays.
"Then on July 26, it was reported that the roof had caved in on kids playing in there, which is quite serious, and then two days later a resident heard children screaming.
"No one was harmed in either incident, but you can imagine the alarm bells ringing, because if something bad had happened it would have been horrendous.
"I think the council have done quite a good job, there were delays but for very good reason, contacting the owner and making sure everything was okay, and the officer we have been dealing with has been superb."
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Following extensive discussions between council officers and the owner of the building, it was agreed with all parties to proceed with demolition in the best interest of public safety.
“This also included the removal of an old brick wall that was low level and was extremely dangerous and dilapidated.
“Demolition work has now been completed, including the clearing and removal of waste material from the site. The security fence will remain in place to keep the site secure.”
However, concern has been raised about the state the demolition company has left the site in.
One resident, who didn't wish to be named, said: "The demolition people have done a good job, they took the building down.
"But all the fencing is still up. I have not seen anything for a week, it looks like they abandoned it.
"Part of the fencing is attached to my property and has been left here. Me and some neighbours, we litter pick down Cunliffe Brow, but it's an absolute mess down there.
"This week alone I have caught two fly tippers. Captain's Clough itself is a conservation area, with deer and foxes. It's a mess and they think they can make more of a mess by fly tipping.
"We need it blocked off by Ivy Road, like big boulders. As a neighbourhood we can't have it left like this."
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