Reg Pyecroft lives in the Causeway where two neighbouring houses have been surrounded by scaffolding for more than a year. Planning permission has been granted to improve one of the homes while an application is yet to be submitted for the other. Mr Pyecroft said: “They are almost derelict. It’s taking an unbelievably long time. Nobody cares. “The work has just started two days ago and (workmen) said with a bit of luck they will be finished by August, but we have heard it all before. “(The Causeway) is a beautiful iconic street; a tourist attraction in town with a marvellous church kept in brilliant condition. Visitors have to walk past this dreadful mess. “We moved here two years ago when it was so beautiful and for the better part of that we have had to deal with being next door.” The building is so historic it has a blue plaque in honour of former resident Neville Duke, wartime Royal Air Force pilot who once held the air speed record. Former airline pilot Mr Pyecroft said: “The plaque was put up 18 months. I spoke at the unveiling; it was quite a big event. It’s terrible to see it all dirty and covered up.” In despair, he and neighbours on the other side took their concerns to Horsham District Council planning department. A spokesman told the County Times this week officers could not do anything to enforce against it. She said: “We understand the frustration of a resident living in the Causeway with the length of time that scaffolding has been up around two neighbouring properties. “People are entitled to erect scaffolding around their homes without permission so long as the scaffolding doesn’t present any health or safety issues. “In the case of one of these properties, planning permission was granted earlier this year and we understand work is in progress. With regards to the other property, we are still awaiting a planning application. The council does not have the authority to instruct residents to remove scaffolding from their properties.” Philips Surveyors acted on behalf of the owners in regard to planning applications for both properties. A spokesman for the company said he was unable to comment.