NEIGHBOURS of an eyesore yard are celebrating after being told the tenants at the centre of months of anti-social activity will finally be evicted.

Problems at Shutts Yard in Darlington came to light when a major fire broke out in May, the blaze tearing through a hundred old fridges and other electrical items which were being hoarded there.

As revealed by The Northern Echo, a lengthy investigation had been on-going into activities at the town centre yard prior to the fire, which saw firefighters battling for hours to bring the flames under control as acrid black smoke filled the skies above Darlington.

Those living and working close to the hazardous site had begged the authorities to tackle a variety of issues linked to the yard - with allegations of regular fire-setting, drugs use and persistent anti-social behaviour.

The Northern Echo understands that the tenants have now been ordered to move out, as efforts to clean up the yard – which remained packed with electrical appliances until very recently – continue.

Their neighbours believe the impending eviction will make a huge difference to their community and businesses in the area, which some claim have been detrimentally affected by the activities at Shutts Yard.

The landlord of the nearby Slaters Arms pub on Bondgate said he was “over the moon” at the prospect of losing his nuisance neighbours.

John Wilson said: “It should have happened a long time ago but this is going to make a huge difference to our trade.

“We will be able to use our beer garden without fires sending smoke over or screaming and shouting.

“We’re hoping conditions will improve once they go, the yard already looks a lot better.”

BedSOS representative Eleanor Richmond also welcomed the eviction, saying: “It is fantastic news and it has been great to see the yard being cleared recently.

“The action was overdue but the community will be safer as a result and our business will feel more secure.

“We’re hoping this will be an end to all of the problems.”

Ward councillor Cyndi Hughes, who recently called on the property’s landlord to act, said: “I am pleased about the resolution of the issues.

“It’s a good example of local partnership at its best – by working together, Environmental Health, the Fire Service, the anti-social behaviour team, Street Scene with the local media nudging all of us to action, the dangers posed have thankfully been averted.

“Local businesses and residents can rest assured that their interests and safety have been at the forefront of our concerted efforts.”

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council would neither confirm or deny the impending eviction but said: “The council continues to work with other agencies and the property’s owner to find a permanent solution and to seek further improvement to conditions at the yard.”