A 200-year-old cottage described as an ‘eyesore’ will be demolished before the end of the year.

Annes Cottage, which is situated in Naphill near High Wycombe, is due to be knocked down no later than September 1 after plans to replace the ancient building were approved.

Once the demolition has been completed, a project to build a more modern-looking property with four bedrooms, a driveway and three car park spaces will commence.

An official notice that has been left by the vacant house reveals the building has been acquired by the Banbury-based J Smith and Sons (Walter’s Ash) Ltd, and the following must take place:

  • Demolish the building within six months of the letter being issued (no later than September 1)
  • Shore up any building adjacent to the building to which the notice relates, where the work could affect the stability of the adjacent building
  • Weatherproof any surfaces of an adjacent building that are exposed by the demolition
  • Repair and make any good any damage to an adjacent caused by the demolition or by the negligent act or omission of any person engaged in it
  • Remove material or rubbish resulting from the demolition and clearance of the site
  • Disconnect and seal sewers/drains
  • Remove any sewer/drain seal
  • Make good to the satisfaction of the council the surface of the ground disturbed
  • Make arrangements with the relevant statutory undertakes for the disconnection of the supply of gas, electricity and water to the building
  • Make arrangements with regard to the burning of structures or materials on the site

Many of the trees are set to be removed and whilst the building is set to be knocked down by September, no definitive date has been confirmed of when it will get demolished.

It has been rumoured the empty house is currently home to several bats and that its previous tenant ‘didn’t change a thing’ to the property’ upon returning from the Second World War.

The property was described as an 'eyesore' by former councillor, Chris Whitehead, in a planning application meeting back in 2021 when the application was first put forward.