The owners of the Ocean Hotel have less than 4 months to tidy up the Sandown eyesore as a result of a Section 215 enforcement order successfully being issued and executed by the Isle of Wight Council.
Earlier this year many ‘legal wrangles’ were overcome to allow for the order to be issued by the local authority, as previously reported by Island Echo.
The order came into effect on Friday (11th March) with no appeals lodged, it has been confirmed.
Phoenix Commerical Property Development Limited now has to complete 13 tasks within a 2 month period. 2 further tasks have to be completed within 4 months, meaning all 15 requirements of the order should be completed by mid-July at the latest.
- Removing the steel supports from the former entrance canopy fronting the Esplanade
- Cutting all vegetation down to ground level, removing the waste and applying a suitable weed killer
- Removing all building materials, litter and vegetation across the site and on the access steps and boundary walls
- Cutting back hedgerow
- Removing trailing ivy
- Repairing boundary fencing next to the High Street
- Cleaning all windows and door glass panes fronting the High Street
- Cleaning the door and window canopies serving the main entrance to the hotel and first-floor windows of the Kings Bar so they are free of mould and dirt
It is hoped that the derelict hotel will have a much neater appearance come the summer holidays as the order seeks to bring the property back to a reasonable standard which will rectify the adverse effects the property is having on the amenity of the neighbourhood.
Should the owners fail to comply the Isle of Wight Council could look to pursue further legal action including prosecution in the Magistrates Court; the council carrying out the works at a cost to the owner, enforced by the County Court; or registration with HM Land Registry of a charge on the property, recoverable should the property be sold.
The enforcement order covers both the Ocean Hotel and the adjoining King House (32-40 even numbers) off the High Street. Both were taken over by Carlauren Group when the 97-bedroom Ocean Hotel was sold for £2.6million in 2017 after some 57 years under family ownership.
Carlauren went bust in late 2019 but in April 2021 it was reported by Island Echo that Phoenix Commerical Property Development had purchased the seafront property. Just a month later, an arson attack caused significant damage to the hotel with an announcement following in May that it would not re-open as a hotel.
To little To late.
Bloody DISGRACE.
The whole site is an embarasment.
Just knock it all down asap, and landscape it into a public space, so that nobody can profit from this shambles !
Agreed. The enforcement, if adhered to, will possibly make it the neatest hovel on the island. Bet the owners are trembling in their pinstripes.
What a disgrace when holidaymakers arrive
Not just for holidaymakers John, the people of Sandown have this in our town along with the other burnt out, derelict, decaying eyesores. It’s just not right that these buildings have been abandoned by the owners and nothing has been done. Yes it is a disgrace but nothing ever seems to get sorted out very quickly over here.
Another eyesore. County Hall in Newport
offer it to the Ukraines as accommodation on the understanding they must sort the site and revamp it into living accommodation
see how long it takes to get done
give it to to the ukraines as accommodation
on the understanding they have to renovate
the site
see how quick it gets done
Well, sorry to be flippent, BUT it would make them fill at home.
What about The Grand, Tarvic 2 and may others!!! Sandown has a lovely beach and these derelict hotels let it down BADLY! Come on Isle of Wight council get your act together!
I know exactly what will happen. Absolutely nothing then iow council will do it All. Send them a bill that will never get paid, but it will be paid by Our Rates.
This just isn’t good enough. The Council must get tough with the owners. It’s been going on for too long now. These eyesores need fixing. They Compulsory Purchase a dwelling if it stands in the way of a large housing development! Something must be done to lift the Sandown decay out of the gutter.
Correct. This is exactly what ill happen. Dig a bit deeper ratepayers……..
It’s a total disgrace the many empty, burnt out, derelict buildings around Sandown that have been abandoned by the owners has been allowed to go on for so many years. Everything takes so long to get sorted on this island. Sandown needs action and needs it now. Another year coming into the holiday season and nothing has changed at the Ocean, Grand, Savoy site and Culver Parade. Total shame and embarrassment.
It is a incomprehensible that the Isle of Wight council do nothing about the appalling state of the buildings on Sandown sea front. Year in year out nothing is done. The island is supposed to be a holiday destination with tourism bringing prosperity to the island. Yet the council have no interest in what should be happening in Sandown. So the seafront provides the most beautiful ,stunning beach adjacent to which lies a hotel strip which looks like something out of the Twilight zone. Shame on you every member of the council and the Island MP