Action to be taken on falling down house in Chapel-en-le-Frith

Long standing problems with a house in Chapel-en-le-Frith, which began bulging out creating a danger to pavement and road users, will be tackled by High Peak Borough Council over the coming week.

The Council's controlled company Alliance Norse has appointed Hargo Ltd to carry out rebuilding works to the front wall. The first stage will be to remove existing shoring and install a timber hoarding to make 9 High Street safe to pass by for pavement users and passing traffic. The completed building works will enable the removal of the temporary traffic lights.

The occupants of the house are being rehoused while the work, expected to take 12 weeks to complete, takes place.

Number 9 High Street was first deemed unsafe in February 2021 following an inspection by the Council's Building Control officers.

Using statutory powers from Section 78 of the Building Act, the Council took action to shore up the building, close the pavement, and install temporary traffic lights to reduce potential danger to pedestrians and road users.

The Council has no power under the Building Act to permanently repair the building, which remains the responsibility of the owner. But with no action being taken after two years, it issued a notice under Section 215 of the Planning Act in February 2023, requiring the rebuilding of the front elevation within six months.

But after an appeal by the owner to the magistrates' court, the matter was settled out of court and a longer compliance period given to the end of July 2024.

However, despite positive discussions, progress has stalled and so the Council has decided to take action.

Councillor Godfrey Claff, Executive Member for Planning and Community Safety at High Peak Borough Council said: 'This has been a protracted case, and we know the temporary traffic lights have caused real inconvenience to drivers passing through the High Street.

'By taking this action we will finally be able to remove the lights we know have become a source of understandable frustration, not to mention mirth.

'There is only so much the Council can do when these situations arise, we must follow due legal process which can be time-consuming and so we genuinely thank residents for their patience and understanding.'

Published 17 November 2025