COUNCILLORS have raised concerns over a house in Brent Knoll which has become 'virtually useless' and has an infestation of rats. The house, 1 Belle Vue Villas, in Burton Row, has stood empty for almost 15 years after the female occupant went into a care

COUNCILLORS have raised concerns over a house in Brent Knoll which has become 'virtually useless' and has an infestation of rats.The house, 1 Belle Vue Villas, in Burton Row, has stood empty for almost 15 years after the female occupant went into a care home in Burnham. Since she left, the house has stood empty and at a recent parish council meeting councillors have aired concerns for the safety of nearby residents. Cllr Bob Filmer said: "There have been pigeons flying through it and I think there are some structural concerns. The neighbours are worried it could be dangerous."Other councillors thought that the roof may be in danger of collapsing.As the woman who went into care still owns the house, there is little the councillors can do to resolve the problem. Cllr Filmer said: "The Government has been keen to encourage redundant buildings to be put back into use and not left to waste."The issue was first raised with Sedgemoor District Council over five years ago when residents said that rats and pigeons had infested the house. The council opened up the front of the building to investigate and boarded it up. Brent Knoll Parish Council clerk Michael Endacott will now write a letter to the district council for advice on the appropriate action to take.