Furious residents demand action after boat called 'Just Chillin' is dumped on their street and left to rot for three months

Furious residents demand action after a boat called 'Just Chillin' was dumped on their street and left to rot for three months.

The abandoned 'eyesore' boat has been left in a residential area - over a mile from the water - with no engine and a smashed roof since October.

Despite residents reporting the abandoned boat to the council, it has remained on the street in Southampton, Hampshire, with a yellow warning notice attached.

The warning notice was issued by Southampton City Council and placed on 'Just Chillin's' stern soon after it appeared, threatening its destruction if not moved.

Resident Ken Pearce and his wife, Hilary, who live about 30 yards away from the wrecked boat, reported it to the council shortly after it was dumped on their street.

Mr Pearce, 74, described the boat as a 'pain' and said that it was an 'eyesore', which was 'embarrassing' when people came to visit.

He said: 'It has been there for months, and the council have had a notice on it for months.

'I have contacted councillors about the boat as well, and they aren't helpful to be honest.

The abandoned boat has been left in a residential area - over a mile from the water - with no engine and a smashed roof since October

The abandoned boat has been left in a residential area - over a mile from the water - with no engine and a smashed roof since October

Despite residents reporting the abandoned boat to the council, it has remained on the street in Southampton with a yellow warning notice attached

Despite residents reporting the abandoned boat to the council, it has remained on the street in Southampton with a yellow warning notice attached

'Once the yellow notice was put on, we thought that's it, but now it is just like they can't be bothered.

'It is an eyesore when people who don't live here come to visit.

'It is a bit embarrassing for the area in general.

'It is a hotspot for kids misbehaving. We have had the youngsters climbing up into it and doing all sorts of damage to it.

'They ripped the roof off and smashed the windows.'

Mr Pearce said that he thought the council should take the boat away and dispose of it, adding: 'It is my understanding that that is why we pay our council tax.'

He said that the boat is made of GRB plastic, and he worries that the kids messing around in the boat might try to set it alight, which would give off 'toxic smoke'.

His wife, Mrs Pearce, added: 'It is an embarrassment when people come to visit us.'

Residents have described the boat as a 'pain' and an 'absolute eyesore'

Residents have described the boat as a 'pain' and an 'absolute eyesore'

Another resident, Lina Goodall, said the boat has been there so long it has become 'part of the furniture.'

She said: 'It is ridiculous.

'It is pretty ugly.

'It is just crazy that anyone would even think to leave it there.

'The sooner it goes, the better.'

Resident Neil Adamson said: 'I just hope at some point the council will do what it said and destroy it and get rid of it.'

A 78-year-old woman, who did not wish to be named, said: 'When I go in my garden, I look out, all I can see is that monstrosity there.

'When it first was there, I was telling people I had won the lottery and was going on a cruise, but not anymore.

'It is disgusting that people should get away with that.'

A spokesperson for the Southampton City Council said: 'The district housing team were informed about this just before Christmas.

'They have served the vehicle with a removal sticker, giving the owner the chance to take it away themselves.

'As it has not been removed at this point, the council will initiate removal proceedings of the boat.'

AI Article