THE saga over Caterham's most notorious eyesore has taken another twist.
Two homeless man have set up camp in the car park of the former Rose and Young site in Croydon Road. With their possessions in supermarket trolleys and a washing line put up against the derelict building, their presence there has drawn mainly positive reactions from locals.
Some have offered donations of food and clothing, while others have stopped to pass the time of day with the pair.
But a passing 4x4 driver on Friday complained loudly at the "mess".
Their arrival adds a new chapter to the story of the former Mercedes showroom site, which has stood empty and forlorn since 1994.
Landowners Caterham Properties have twice been successfully prosecuted by Tandridge District Council for allowing the site to fall into neglect, resulting in fines and clean-up orders. And the building suffered a reported infestation of rats last autumn.
Several times over the years rumours have emerged of planning applications, but nothing has come to fruition.
A planning application for 68 flats and 116 parking spaces was submitted in March but subsequently withdrawn.
The council has set aside £50,000 for a feasibility study to help provide "outline details of a viable redevelopment scheme for the site". It has said it is prepared to compulsorily purchase the land – but only if a suitable developer is found.
One of the homeless men, 75-year-old "Jim", said: "I can't understand why this place hasn't been developed.
"In this location it must be worth a lot of money. People told me about the history of the building. I expect it will end up as flats eventually, like most of Caterham."
His companion "Horace", in his 30s, said he had mobility problems and that he walked with a shuffle.
Some shopkeepers had misinterpreted this as drunkenness and had ordered him out of their premises, he said.
A spokeswoman for the council confirmed there were no planning applications lodged to develop the site.
Jim and Horace say they have no intentions of moving on just yet.
