ENFORCEMENT action is being taken against the owners of an historic mansion which was destroyed by vandals.

The Worcester News reported in August how trespassers had stripped a Regency townhouse called Woodside, in Lark Hill Road, off London Road, turning it into a death trap.

At the time, John Lahiff, director of Zog Group which owns the building, said the company would be looking to act on planning permission granted in 2008 to convert it into eight luxury flats. Almost 12 months on, and work is yet to be started.

Worcester City Council conservation officer Carl Jukes says enforcement action has been taken to make sure the building is restored to how it was before it was vandalised.

Zog Group will be given about 12 months to do this, and financial penalties can be imposed if the conditions are not met.

The property only has a partial roof, windows and floors have been broken, radiators ripped out, the staircase destroyed, and taps have been left running so the property has flooded. There have also been unsuccessful attempts to start fires.

Mr Jukes said: “The building is dangerous. Floors and ceilings will collapse at any moment. We are trying to work with the landlords to do something.”

The enforcement notice is expected to be served later this week. Mr Jukes said two requisition notices had already been issued to Zog, the first of which was ignored.

A response in reply to the second notice asked for more time for the developers to consult with their insurance company over the damage.

People living nearby have signed a letter to councillors, MPs and conservation groups urging them to encourage the owners to restore the grade II-listed building.

The letter’s author, Richard Barnes, said Woodside had become a “blight” in the conservation area. “A couple of weekends ago some people gained entry and opened more windows,” he said.

“They can’t close these windows because they are in such bad condition.

“I’ve met with someone from English Heritage and Larkhill’s status maybe changed to a conservation area ‘at risk’.

“Understandably, it means the appearance of the area and conditions of the building have declined. We would like to see the building and its surroundings reinstated to how they were or for the development to go ahead.”

Your Worcester News has made several attempts to contact Mr Lahiff, but he has not responded to our calls or e-mails.