A DERELICT building site has been "left to rot" because of council inaction, it was claimed.

Residents of Wyemead Crescent, Chingford, say the site on their street, which used to be a playground, has been vacant for about 30 years and could be dangerous to children.

They are now petitioning the council to take action as they believe it is also attracting anti-social behaviour, including vandalism.

Ann Tribe, 68, a school secretary, lives near the site, which is owned by housing association Christian Action Housing.

She said: "It looks like a bomb site. I've been here 30 years and it's not been a playground for at least 27.

"They took all the slides and everything away and just left it. We've got youngsters congregating there."

The site is now surrounded by metal railings, which can easily be moved, and is "an accident ready to happen", Mrs Tribe claims.

"The kids could get hurt when they play on the site. Last summer, a ten-year-old girl had to be taken to hospital when she fell and her leg got caught on an iron bar," mother-of-two Myfanwy Wilson, 34, added.

"It's an eyesore and something needs to be done to improve it."

The site remained empty until it was purchased by Christian Action Housing, who planned to build ten homes there.

The housing association was given planning permission in 2006 but has since ceased work on the site, leaving it covered with rubble.

And Christian Action Housing have also blamed the authority, saying works halted after the issue of a right of way on the site, which needed to be removed or rerouted, was not addressed.

"The delay is due to Waltham Forest council's failure to progress the right of way issue," chief executive Mark Hayes said.

"It's very frustrating to us. We would like to have had it finished by now."

The council has said objections were raised to plans to get rid of the right of way on the site and it now intends to divert the path.

It also said site security and maintenance are the responsibility of Christian Action Housing as owners of the land.

Cllr Terry Wheeler, cabinet member for enterprise and investment, added: “We would always encourage owners to properly maintain their land, as seeing overgrown sites can be frustrating for members of the public.

“While local authorities have the power to serve a Section 215 notice on owners to have their land cleared, this is only used when the site in question presents a danger to the public or represents the most extreme kind of eyesore.”