REPAIR work has been ordered at a listed former Sheffield church building branded an eyesore after falling into disrepair.
Crookes Valley Methodist Church, at the corner of Crookes Valley Road and Crookesmoor Road, closed in 2003 due to falling attendances.
The church has since become dilapidated while awaiting redevelopment, with large holes appearing in the roof and
rubbish dumped in the grounds.
The interior is believed to be in very poor condition, covered in pigeon droppings and graffiti, and the building has attracted vandals.
The neo-Gothic building was even the site of an illegal rave a year ago and has also been occupied by squatters.
Sheffield Council's head of planning Phil Abbott said: "The current condition is considered to be an eyesore."
The authority's planning board has approved a list of required works under the Listed Buildings Act, which current owners Leeds-based property firm Northern Eye must now carry out.
Work includes mending the roof, protecting all windows, installing steel gates over the doors, removing graffiti, cleaning gutters and removing rubbish.
If Northern Eye fails to carry out the work, the council could take legal action.
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