Terrifying pictures show children “dicing with death” after climbing on roofs and into windows at an abandoned care home due for redevelopment, sparking fears among neighbours.

Groups of youths have been able to access four buildings at the derelict site in Mill Road, Deal over several months, prompting calls to police.

Neighbours claimed youngsters had previously been able to walk straight onto the unsecured land – where 13 new homes protected by a security gate are planned – and have also smashed windows there and set off small fires.

The pictures, passed to KentOnline, were taken over the summer. The site has since been secured but one neighbour, who did not want to be named, told KentOnline: “Several of us could see the children on the roofs from our own homes.

“It is pretty obvious walking on a roof like that is dicing with death. We were amazed those kids could do anything so stupid.”

Neighbours described how different groups of children would get into the site, particularly during the school summer holidays.

One said they regularly called the police over the incidents.

They explained that the site was boarded up several weeks ago, which has made the situation “1,000% better” as there had since been only a couple of incidents of trespass.

Our reporter viewed the scene last week and saw high fencing sealing off the site.

Forty-bed Grove Villa closed in 2019 after being rated “inadequate” by the Care Quality Commission.

Developer Impact Developments Ltd sought permission from Dover District Council (DDC) earlier this year to demolish the care home and create 13 new homes on the land, protected by a metal gate.

But a decision is yet to be made on the application, with neighbours questioning the delays.

One said on the council’s planning portal: “What is happening with this application?

“The properties have been left to rack and ruin with daily visits from the police as children are gaining access to the buildings that aren't secured properly.

“Can we please have an update, why hasn't the decision been made yet?”

Residents KentOnline spoke to last week claimed youngsters could still access the site through a gap of broken fencing next to a nearby allotment. High boarding had also begun to be placed there.

Another neighbour, who also did not want to be named, said: "The kids pulled down a fence to get in through the allotments. They see it as a challenge.

“You hear the children making a noise. It made us frightened to go out to our side gate and it ruined our summer this year. They come in little gangs.”

A spokesperson for Dover District Council said: “We can confirm that we have received a planning application for 13 dwellings, and a prior approval application for the demolition of four former care homes at this site.

“We continue to look into both applications and no decisions have been made at this time.”

A spokesperson for application agents SJM Planning said hoardings have now been built around the perimeter of the site, with plans for anti-climb paint and barbed wire in the pipeline.

“Windows have been boarded up when they have been informed that they have been broken,” they added.

"A security firm now patrols the site every 2-3 days, and has been for some time.”

“It is regrettable that children made entry into the site, but would have had to have done so by presumably breaking in in the first place.

“The owners are committed to redeveloping the site and are hopeful that the district council is able to approve their plans once the final consultees have come back.

It is unfortunately in my experience quite common now for larger planning applications to take considerably longer given the strain on staff resources, but we are hopeful now for a positive outcome shortly.

“A provisional extension of time for the planning application was agreed to 20th December 2024.”

They added: “An interim application for a demolition notice for the site was recently lodged, and if approved, works would take place quite soon.

“The owner has asked the security company to remain vigilant for the intervening period.