As Daventry District Council continues to reveal ambitious plans for the future, including state-of-the-art transport systems, new homes, shops and 21st century facilities, residents say The Grange has been left to fall apart.

Ann Smith, chairman of the Grange Residents’ Association, said: “The estates have been left to go into disrepair. Some parts of The Grange look like a slum.

“The council wants the people of Daventry to be proud of the town they live in, but how can they when it’s like this? It’s like a dumping area now and it’s a mess.”

The Daventry Express visited the estate this week with Mrs Smith and Daventry district councillor Colin Poole to see the worst affected areas.

The whole estate is showing signs of serious neglect with broken paving slabs, vast amounts of weeds, broken benches, damage to the children’s play area, inadequate lighting, bushes growing over walkways and litter.

Walls have been smashed, tiles are falling off walkways and garage doors are hanging off. There is graffiti, boarded up windows and doors, broken fences and glass and children’s toys, furniture and other household items which have been dumped in the street.

Mrs Smith said: “I’m angry – we should not have to live in this squalor.

“I’ve lived on The Grange for 30 years and at one time I was so proud to have a house here, but over the past 10 to 15 years, I’ve watched it go down hill.

“It’s just not acceptable.”

The residents association says it would like the district council to put some time, effort and money into restoring the estate to its former glory, rather than just concentrating on the new plans for the town.

Mrs Smith added: “The Grange and the people that live here are part of the town and it annoys me that the council seems to have forgotten this estate.

“I’m not asking for golden paving slabs, just a clean up.

“It’s such a shame because it used to be beautiful.”

Cllr Poole, whose ward includes The Grange, agrees that the estate is unkempt, but believes it is up to the residents to help maintain it.

He said: “It’s a shame that the population of today feel they have to destroy everything around them. I think the estate is appalling.

“We need to get the community lifted and them working together like they used to.”

l THE Grange Residents’ Association is urging all residents to attend a public meeting next week.

The association, which has just five members and meets once a month, formed around eight years ago and aims to try and make the estate a safe and clean environment for people to live and bring up their children.

There will be a guest speaker from Daventry District Council at the meeting, as well as local councillors and police, who will all be available for questions.

Anyone who is interested in joining the association is being encouraged to come along. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, from 6.30-8pm, at The Grange School.