PRIVATE security guards and dog teams are patrolling an 18th century home after vandals got inside and destroyed parts of the home...twice.

Solby House, in John Burrows Recreational Ground, Hadleigh, is due to be turned into temporary accommodation for use by Castle Point Council.

However the council has been unable to provide details about how much the project, including the extra security, will now cost.

A concerned Echo reader stated: “I am writing regarding a scandalous waste of public money and the gross incompetence of the housing department at Castle Point Council.

“In John Burrows Recreational Ground stands Solby House.

“Early this year the property was gutted and totally refurbished to an excellent standard.

“However, despite a known, long-standing yob problem in and around the park, the building was left insecure with security gates left wide open and the windows insecure.

“Consequently yobs entered and smashed the interior to pieces, tearing cupboards and radiators off the walls.

“Repairs were carried out, but again the building was left insecure and yobs entered again.

“Now, while the housing department dither over what to do with Solby House, they are paying for 24-hour security guards with dogs on site.

“This must be costing an absolute fortune, with taxpayers footing the bill.

“Such bad management and incompetence is unbelievable.”

Norman Smith, Tory council leader, said: “I don’t know how much it all cost, but it was a necessary expense and the refurbishment would have been covered by insurance.

“It’s a beautiful building and it wasn’t worth leaving it.

“We agreed to put it back into use for short-term housing and should have people moving back in there soon.

“We have addressed the issues and decided to secure the building.

“I am pleased that some families can go in there and it gives someone a roof over their head in a lovely location.”

Solby House is a late 18th century landowner’s country house, named after its first owner, William Solby, and is now a residential home.

The council is hoping it will satisfy some of the temporary housing need in the future, but could not say when it is expected to be in full use and helping families.