Local authority seeks closure order evicting homeowner for three months

The London Borough of Croydon has for the first time applied for a closure order that would see a homeowner evicted from her property for a three-month period.

The council has also applied for an anti-social behaviour order which would prevent 71-year-old Joan Nisbet from visiting her home or those of her neighbours in Godstone Road, Kenley.

A decision on Croydon’s application was adjourned last week to a hearing on 28 May.

Nisbet is currently serving a jail sentence after she breached a restraining order.

The council took action after a catalogue of abuse against her neighbours. This included playing music by the likes of Eminem, Queen and NWA at volume in the early hours.

Croydon Council has principally sought closure orders in cases involving its own tenants. However, in one case it successfully obtained an order over a bed and breakfast hotel that was being used by drunks and drug addicts. The Nisbet case is the first involving an owner-occupier.

The authority said that if its application for a closure order is granted later this month and Nisbet’s behaviour does not improve over the relevant period, it would apply for an extension at the review hearing.