Residents on a leafy Trafford street – where properties typically sell for more than £1m – have launched a petition over a partially renovated property they say has been empty for 18 years.

Some 120 householders of large detached homes on tree-lined The Avenue in Sale say their mental health is being affected. Some claim they have found it impossible to sell their properties because of the house.

Owner Mohammed Akram says work has been held up by objections to various planning applications submitted to the council.

From left Coun Rob Duncan, John and Nicole Davies, Alison and Mike Reuben and Barry Pilkington | LDRS

placeholder image — From left Coun Rob Duncan, John and Nicole Davies, Alison and Mike Reuben and Barry Pilkington | LDRS

Neighbours are being led by 72-year-old Mike Reuben; his wife Alison, 66; Barry Pilkington, 79; and 67-year-old John Davies.

Mr Reuben told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “Neighbours trying to sell their homes have had people come along and say ‘we’re not living here near that’, referring to the empty house. This has had a really negative effect on all our lives.”

Manor ward councillor Rob Duncan has taken up the case. He said he has asked the town hall to determine whether the property is being monitored under the borough’s empty homes strategy and whether the council would support the owner in bringing it back into use.

The house at number 47 The Avenue | LDRS

Mr Akram, director of property development company Prime Sites UK, said: “When I acquired the property, it had already been derelict for a number of years. They [the residents] state [it has had] ‘a negative effect on their lives’. Imagine the destruction of the owner’s life and the immense cost incurred during this period.

“This property would have been completed by Christmas of 2012. But unfortunately, objections to planning matters meant it took a number of years to sort out. Works were well underway at the time.

“I had done everything to appease the neighbours in order to have a smooth renovation. I refused to be dictated to.

“Preparation to commence building works has already begun – the removal of building waste and clearance of overgrown garden areas, installation of water supply etc.

“The building work is to commence on December 1 with a view to completion and move in by the end of March.”

A spokesperson for Trafford council told the LDRS: “This property has been the subject of ongoing sporadic building work for several years and the council is aware of local concerns about the slow progress with the refurbishments.

“Local authorities can only charge council tax – and subsequently the Empty Homes Premium – based on a property list that is held and maintained by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). The VOA can and do take properties out of the list that are uninhabitable.

“Trafford council is always keen to speak with the owners of empty homes to seek to ensure they are brought back into use, and will be writing to the owner of the property to encourage completion of the current building works.”