Here at Portland Terrace and its immediate environs in Hastings, we are still waiting for the council’s ‘Grotbusting’ team to enforce three ‘notices to improve’ (‘Section 215 Notices’) issued to past and present owners of St Mary’s Railway Mission Hall on Portland Steps. So far nothing has happened. The once beautiful Hall continues to deteriorate and the surrounding ground remains a draw for mattresses, trolleys, sofas, abandoned cars and general litter. In response to repeated requests for action, we are told: ‘Grotbusting can be a very slow process – up to two years to get a result’. A somewhat galling comment to those of us who have waited 15 years for any ‘Grotbusting’ to take place in the case of St Mary’s Hall. In February 2002 and again in 2007 my letters to this paper were published highlighting the problem and requesting that the council address the concerns of the local community about St Mary’s. Since then local people have directed a constant stream of letters, emails, and telephone calls to the council – all to no avail. St Mary’s Hall is now in the hands now of a local property management company who have planning permission to turn it into student accommodation. Their promises of starting work never materialise and they will not communicate with local residents. We feel let totally let down by the council, and puzzled at their apparent indifference. Judy Russell Portland Terrace Hastings Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver 3) Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.