• 
  
  Do you possess a tale?
  
  Email katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk
  

A grand house from the 1930s has been left empty since its owner was forced away by gangsters, according to the Daily Mail.

The large house has remained vacant for many years since its older resident Brenda Mordecai moved out of the property located in Ruddington, Nottinghamshire.

Madam Mordecai relocated following a series of burglaries and bequeathed the property to her two daughters.

Now, the abandoned house located in a protected area has become a construction zone – with a developer who has acquired the valuable plot on the edge of
Nottingham
city.

Cameron Homes aims to transform what was previously an attractive site, located across four acres, into six additional residences, next to its project consisting of 30 to 40 homes.

Residents who live across from The Croft House on the bustling Loughborough Road claim it is a “disgrace” that the countryside town, located five miles south of the Midland city, is becoming overwhelmed by new developments.

A pair shared how the white house, constructed during the 1930s, has unfortunately deteriorated into disrepair following prolonged periods of abandonment.

They explained that the house had a complex history and was once owned by two separate families who each operated renowned local enterprises.

The previous occupant of the property, which had been vacant and was purchased for £1.5 million along with an extra five-acre field in October last year by Cameron Homes, was Mrs. Mordecai.

She once hosted “excellent” garden gatherings at the estate, which is concealed from sight by lines of trees, for various groups and the nearby Conservation society.

A former inhabitant from the area remarked: “It used to be an impressive home, one worth being invited to.”

I have never entered the big gardens — you can’t even spot the house because it’s completely hidden by trees. You’d hardly realize it was there!

Regrettably, the secluded spot drew thieves, and a nearby resident mentioned that the lone senior inhabitant was ultimately “forced out due to several home invasions.”

He mentioned that Mrs. Mordecai relocated to the upscale nearby town of West Bridgford in 2018, stating, “She was concerned about the high levels of crime and found it too risky to stay there, also because the home was far too large for her and she wished to live more simply.”

One of her two daughters, Jacqueline, resides just a five-minute walk away in an enclosed residence, yet it seems neither she nor her sibling Jo-Anne—both now 60 and 58—are interested in living with their parents at The Croft House.

Madam Mordecai and her spouse Jacob were involved in the garment industry, operating a thriving undergarment and apparel enterprise.

They purchased the home from another affluent family—the Woodhouses, known for constructing garden-related wooden buildings.

A neighbor stated: “However, not long after they relocated approximately 35 years ago, Mr. Mordecai died.”

The woman who was left behind remained residing there independently for many years until it became known that she gave the home to her two daughters upon relocating.

Currently 91 years old, she resides four miles away in a lovely enclosed home close to her daughter Jo-Anne.

She could not be reached for comments regarding her old residence being transformed into a small new development, as she was out of town on vacation.

Prior to Cameron Homes purchasing the home last year with plans to completely tear it down and build six new residences, a different developer had earlier taken ownership of the neglected property along with an adjacent pasture.

They sought permission from Rushcliffe Borough Council to construct eight residences on the The Croft area and 35 homes on the neighboring field—totaling 10 acres—but faced strong community resistance and rejection from planning authorities.

They transferred the property to another builder, Cameron Homes, which eventually secured the approval to develop a housing community on the land and is currently requesting authorization to construct fewer houses—reducing the count from eight to six—at the once-esteemed residence.

Although the site does not have a listed status, it is recognized as a ‘key unlisted building’ on the Townscape Appraisal Map.

However, a heritage assessment requested by the developers during the planning process claims that, although old and large, it does not hold enough historical significance to be regarded as a valuable resource for the region.

The newly planned homes will each have five bedrooms and be two stories tall, constructed to match the standards of recent developments in the surrounding area.

They would feature electric car charging stations and include driveways—each spacious enough to accommodate two vehicles—as well as garages.

Officials will decide on the request in the next few months.

A resident mentioned, “I am certain the plan will soon become official with the council. The entire region has turned into a massive construction zone, with cement mixers continuously moving along a heavily congested road.”

It appears that developers hold significant influence over obtaining planning permissions.

It’s unfortunate that the house cannot serve as a family residence once more and instead will be divided into six individual homes, leading to a major rise in vehicle usage and traffic.

A different inhabitant commented about the home: “It’s extremely concealed, so you hardly realize it’s there, but it’s unfortunate that there could be additional developments nearby.”

Ruddington has way too many. It was once a wonderful place to reside, but now it’s ruined.

The woman remarked, “I’m from Ruddington, but it isn’t anywhere near as good as it once was.”

There’s a large new development just beyond the street, yet home prices are extremely steep, making it impossible for young people to afford a place and climb onto the housing market.

Across from The Croft House stands another location currently under development.

Clive Whiting has obtained approval to demolish an older, sizable home where his son and his family have resided, in order to construct “two newly built upscale residences.”

The contractor said to the Daily Mail, “It was a house from the 1970s, and we have had it for several years, but my son left because it was too chilly.”

Now we’re demolishing it and constructing two new five-bedroom houses.

We have plans for six beds at each location, but that appears excessive, so we’re opting for a more compact size.

My son along with his family will be relocating into one [house], and I might relocate into the other.

I currently reside close by, but isn’t it every father’s wish to live near their son and grandchild!

Mr. Whiting commented about the vacant home across from them: “It has remained unoccupied for several years, and it feels like a loss since someone might have lived there, although I know it isn’t going to be renovated.”

A representative from Cameron Homes stated: “We fully comprehend and appreciate the worries raised by nearby residents. Our plan for The Croft House located on Loughborough Road aims to revitalize an abandoned area by constructing six new residences, next to our Sylvan project comprising 36 new homes, with 11 being affordable.”

The proposal for The Croft House is now undergoing the official planning application procedure, during which members of the public may submit feedback on the plans for proper evaluation. Final decisions will be taken by the local planning department, making sure that the opinions of the community are acknowledged and incorporated into the submission.

Read more