PEOPLE living near a derelict former hospital have been assured a rat problem will be dealt with.

The former seven-acre Sheppey Hospital site has been left for almost three years after being bought by a development company from the NHS and more than 100 houses are planned.

One home owner said: “I saw a rat run up a tree in my garden and take food I had put out for the birds.

“I am absolutely petrified of rats and now I’m terrified to go out in the garden after dark. This was a big, healthy, sleek rat with a very long tail and a cat would have had difficulty killing it.

“I know I am not alone. Neighbours in Lynmouth Drive have seen rats in their gardens too. I have lived here for a good many years but this is the first time rats have run about like this.”

Borough councillor for the area John Stanford (Lib Dem) said: “I know people are worried by rats and the council does take their concerns seriously.

“You have to be careful, especially in urban areas because Weil’s Disease can be very dangerous.”

The old hospital site, situated in Wards Hill Road, is now owned by English Partnerships and an application to develop the site was put before the council by Evison, a Tunbridge Wells consultancy.

Catherine Snow, of English Partnerships, said: “We have recently been made aware of the issue of rodents on the former Sheppey General Hospital site, which transferred to English Partnerships on May 4, 2005.

“The agents managing the estate on our behalf have been in contact with Swale Borough Council Environmental Health department, which will be visiting the site to make an assessment of the problem.

“The site will be promoted to developers in the next few months and work could start on site as early as spring 2006.

“During the time the site is derelict, English Partnerships will engage pest control teams to deal with the current problem and ensure that it does not recur.”

FACTFILE:

Weil’s disease is carried in infected rats’ urine. Rats commonly live in farm yards and near water and it is known the organism that causes the disease can live for some time in water.

The incubation period is between seven to 13 days after the organism has entered the body. Entry may be by contact with infected water through a cut or graze, a blister or abrasion or via the lining of the nose, throat or alimentary canal.

Early symptoms are a fever, muscular aches and pains, a loss of appetite and vomiting. Later symptoms include a bruising of the skin, sore eyes, nose bleeds and jaundice.