Shotton Lane Social Club remains derelict almost 10 years on from large fire

This year marks the eighth anniversary since the Shotton Lane Social Club was devastated by a large blaze in the early hours of the morning on February 4, 2011.

Cllr Mike Evans, of Shotton Town Council, said almost ten years on and nothing has been done with the land.

He said: "The fire was eight years ago and the site is still an eyesore. We've got litter there scattered around, it's got to be tidied up.

Sites of the former Shotton Lane Social Club and, pictures below show the litter at the site. Pictures and video by Craig Colville

"A lot of people would like a community centre, something for people to enjoy again, or a cafe or drop in place. We haven't got anything anymore, there is nothing here because everything has closed down.

"There's nowhere for young people to go either so with all the anti-social behaviour we've got going on recently, it's no surprise.

"When I was young you had everything going on but we need something there for the community, that would be great."

Cllr Evans said he believes the reopening of the site will relieve traffic pressures on surrounding streets, adding: "It's a very busy road and we had an accident there recently where a car crashed into a parked car.

"The car parking in the surrounding areas is horrendous. Residents used to park on the old carpark and doing so again would relieve pressure on the streets."

More than 100 people were evacuated from their homes and firefighters spent six hours tackling the blaze.

The club closed in August 2010 and was earmarked by the Flintshire Muslim Cultural Society to become an Islamic cultural centre.

Cllr Gary Cooper, chair of the council, used to live directly opposite and he said the site was purchased by a private owner and something needs to be done.

He said: "It seems to have died a death. I feel it's time someone did something about it, it's an eyesore to residents and is litter-strewed at the moment. As a council we need to see something done about it."

Cllr Dave Evans, Flintshire Council representative, told the Leader the council tried to set up a meeting with the owner of the site a while back but has heard nothing since and said no-one knows what is going on.

A local resident, who did not want to be named, added: "It's terrible, it's really getting me down. People are adding to the rubbish which is already there and young people are coming out of the shop and staying there with nothing to do.

"It makes me really unhappy and ashamed of where I live, what must people think when they drive up here?

"We can't park up there anymore because a metal fence was put up last year. I'm glad in a way because we had to put up with terrible incidents there but it's a nuisance because it's not kept tidy and with he parking in the street.

"I've gone there some mornings myself to clear some of the rubbish but we've got to be careful if there's any needles or anything."