Concerns over 'lethal' derelict city structure

NEW REPORT OF PROBLEMS AT PLANNED DEVELOPMENT SITE

- CARL EVE

CONCERNS have been raised over the increasingly derelict Mayflower House which was linked to the death of a British Army veteran in 2020.

The large building has remained empty and has become a haven for rough sleepers and addicts in recent years, despite warnings by police to former owners to secure the premises.

Police were called to the building on February 13, 2020 following concerns for the welfare of a man.

At the time, police said the man was confirmed dead at the scene, but an inquest held the following year said Derek Garroch died at Derriford Hospital after he was found suffering the toxic effects of a mixture of drugs he had consumed.

As there was no power to the derelict building, they had to enter via a window and used torchlight to climb up the fourth floor where they found paramedics working on a man who was in the middle of the floor of an office space, surrounded by "waste and general detritus", including sleeping b g bags and items of clothing.