Enforcement action could be taken on an East Cowes eyesore which has been empty for almost 10 years.
The former East Cowes Health Centre, on York Avenue, has been closed since 2012 after the new medical centre, closer to the heart of the town, officially opened, with the new centre part of the town’s regeneration and it now sits opposite Waitrose.
The practice’s once home at Down House, however, has not had the same fate, being left derelict. East Cowes town Councillor Karl Love recently mentioned, at the East Cowes Town Council annual meeting, that he had been working with Isle of Wight Council officers to see what could be done to tidy the site up.
Now, an Isle of Wight Council spokesperson has confirmed the old doctors’ surgery site is being reviewed by officers, which could result in formal enforcement action being taken, meaning the site is to be made more presentable and less of an eyesore.
Planning permission was granted in 2013 to demolish part of Down House, build 2 new houses and refurbish the remaining part into a third property, but no action was taken and permission since lapsed.
In 2014, there was a failed attempt to make the building an asset of community value, which could have seen community groups take over. It is thought Down House was last sold in 2015 but has since been listed as being available to rent through estate agents Hose Rhodes Dickson for £25,000 a year.
Despite all this, the surgery sits empty and has become increasingly overgrown.
Under a Section 215 notice, the Isle of Wight Council can demand property owners tidy up their land, within a set period. The authority can do so if it believes the amenity of its own land is adversely affected by the condition of neighbouring land.
One can be certain, that even in the uncared for state it is in, it will still be much, much more attractive than the cramped ugly poorly built buildings which eventually will replace it.
Quality never goes out of style.
As usual, the Isle of Wight Council leap into action with all of the speed of a lethargic Sloth!
Just how many years has this situation dragged on for now?
Why are the Council ‘suddenly’ interested in taking any action? Bearing in mind their total apathy up until now!
A beautiful building. It would make a beautiful house. It would be criminal to demolish it. They don’t build beautiful anymore, they build cheap boxes.
Not sure why this was ever sold off, the new surgery leaves a lot to be desired. 25K a year rent, someone must be having a laugh. Better to put it back on the market and let someone buy and improve the area. The Council definitely needs to do enforcement order as this is now a breeding ground for foxes and rats etc. It is a complete eyesore, someone has already stripped the lead off in some areas. I used to work in the old part when I first moved to Island, beautiful, solid building made of brick and mortar unlike the new build surgery, easy parking and easy access into the surgery and other clinical areas.
I agree old builds are beautiful, but up to a point. If not kept up they look dreadful, the cost to restore would far outweigh the cost of demolishing and building new homes, even a new toilet block, and a better large car park, which would be welcome. Anything would be better than what it is now. Could turn it into over 55 flats.., or a care home.. shame Frank James Hospital ended. I was in there once.. was a lot of history in that hospital.