A DUDLEY councillor has raised concerns about the state of a derelict care home that has been hit by vandals.

Councillor Sara Bothul, who represents the St James’s ward on Dudley Council, said residents have been left at the end of their tether over the state of the former Castle Meadows Care Home in Dibdale Road, Dudley.

The building, which was vacated as a care home almost two years ago, has been plagued by vandals who have smashed windows, and on Friday (January 5) a fire broke out.

Residents living nearby and local councillors have called for action to secure the empty building which last year was reportedly listed as a ‘no frills’ guest house on Airbnb without council permission.

It has remained vulnerable, however, and this week Councillor Sara Bothul said she had reported the problems to the police and council.

Dudley News: Cllr Sara Bothul outside the former Castle Meadows Care HomeCllr Sara Bothul outside the former Castle Meadows Care Home (Image: Cllr Sara Bothul)

She said: “Residents have been contacting me about it. It’s a state. It’s been vandalised. Copper pipes, lead, boilers, radiators and the air conditioning unit have all gone.

“I reported it to the police when I saw the state of it, and the council.

“It’s absolutely appalling. The residents aren’t happy about the situation.”

She said she was worried the building could be being used by squatters or drug users and she added: “There could be somebody dead up there, we just don’t know.”

West Midlands Police confirmed it had received a report about the building.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We received a report of damage caused to an empty building on Dibdale Road, Dudley.

“We have been in touch with the council who are taking steps to secure the property.

“Anyone with information about how the damage was caused can contact us via Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101, quoting log 1170 of 10 January.”

Dudley Council has also been contacted for comment.