Council orders owners of 'neglected' historic hotel building to make 'urgent' repairs within weeks
A council has ordered the owners of a derelict town centre hotel building at the centre of a long-running dispute to make 'urgent' repairs within six weeks.
Telford & Wrekin Council said the notice had been issued for urgent works on the Grade II listed former Royal Victoria Hotel in Newport.
The authority has also reiterated that it hopes to buy the St Mary's Street building using compulsory purchase powers – but says it may take some time before such an order is granted.
The building has been at the centre of a dispute for some years, with plans previously approved to convert it into flats.
The council said the notice had been issued to the owners of the building, Town Centre Properties.
Councillor Richard Overton, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes and Enforcement, said: “This iconic, privately-owned historic Grade II listed building sits in the heart of Newport town centre, yet the former hotel has been sadly neglected for a number of years, despite us trying to work with the owners to protect the building.
“Over the past 12 months Telford & Wrekin Council has taken a number of enforcement actions, including carrying out remedial work to remove dangers to the public, caused by both the building and scaffold structures, as the owners failed to comply with a court order, and we are in the process of recovering these costs from the owners.
“Most recently, in July last year we issued the owner with a Repair Notice, which again was not complied with. As a result we have begun the process of applying for a Compulsory Purchase Order, however it may take some time for the order to be granted.
“Meanwhile, we continue to be concerned about the long-term future of the building, so have now issued an Urgent Works Notice, giving the owners six weeks to take a range of specified actions to protect and secure what remains of the building, before April 16. If this work is not completed within the timescale, we will complete the works and recover costs from the owners.
“Telford & Wrekin Council has been absolutely clear; we will not allow this Grade II listed building to continue to deteriorate or be demolished as a result of inaction and deliberate neglect by the owners.”
The council said the Urgent Works Notice gives owners six weeks to carry out specified repairs in order to protect the remaining fabric and structure of the building.
The authority said that if not completed within the timescales required, work will be completed by the council, and costs recovered from the current owners.
The Royal Victoria Hotel in Newport dates to 1830 and takes its modern name from Queen Victoria, who visited the hotel as Princess Victoria of Kent.
It continued to run as a hotel, bar and restaurant until it closed for good in 2015.
Telford & Wrekin Council granted planning permission for the building to be converted into flats, but the work was not completed.
