THE most notorious eyesore in Caterham has been given a makeover – of sorts.
The derelict former Rose and Young car showroom in Croydon Road has been an ugly edifice for the past 18 years at the gateway to Caterham Valley's shopping district.
But over the past fortnight the wooden hoardings outside the shabby structure have been replaced, and painted dark green.
Back in October Tandridge District Council issued a legal ultimatum against the site's South Africa-based owners.
They were told to demolish the eyesore or carry out radical improvements including renewing the boarding, clearing overgrowing vegetation, along with an extensive programme of cleaning and repainting.
Failure to comply with the demand could have led to prosecution, with any fines being continuously imposed on a daily basis.
Nearby residents were cynical about the spruce-up.
Chris Reeve, who lives in an adjoining flat, said: "It seems the owners think cleaning the place up is just to cover it in new boards. How long before graffiti hits, it I wonder?"
One of his neighbours Sharon Hook said: "We should all put our comments on the boards on what we'd like to see there."
A Kent-based design firm, acting as planning agents for the site, held a two-day exhibition on January 14 and 15 to gauge local residents' views on what development they would like to see there.
Caterham Valley county councillor Sally Marks said: "Tandridge District Council has recently increased the pressure it puts on to the owners.
"But until the pressure begins to actually cost them serious money or increase their irritation to the point when it hurts then I suspect we may see further delaying tactics."
Julian Black, the senior planner behind the exhibition, said: "We are really keen to push a scheme forward, and tidying up the site is part of that.
"There is real enthusiasm locally for this site to be finally developed."
