UPDATED: The ongoing saga of the Royal York Hotel in Ryde continues this week, with pieces of the building crumbling away resulting in the pavement being cordoned off outside the derelict building.
Pedestrians are being kept away from the neglected property amid fears falling debris could injure a member of the public, with parking suspended nearby to prevent damage to vehicles.
A spokesperson for Island Roads has told Island Echo:
“Our street cleansing team, whilst carrying out their work, noticed that rendering had begun falling from the building onto the pavement. Island Roads therefore installed safety barriers as a temporary measure to reduce the risk to the public.
“We have also alerted the council to the potential problem so that they can investigate whether any further action is required by the property owners.”
Planning permission has been granted to transform the eyesore into a 30-bedroom hotel with a total of 15 conditions in place, many of which are a list of tasks to complete before certain work is begun. A condition imposed under Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and to ensure the development commences in a timely manner for the protection of the Listed Building, is that work must begin by 3rd April 2015.
The Royal York Hotel is owned by Isle of Wight Hotels Ltd., who run the Grand Hotel, Sandown Hotel and Sandringham Hotel in Sandown, Albion Hotel in Freshwater, Calverts Hotel in Newport, Swainstone Manor in Calbourne and own the former Savoy Hotel in Sandown.
UPDATE FRIDAY: An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson has told Island Echo:
“We have been informed by Island Roads that they have installed safety barriers following reports of loose rendering falling from the Royal York Hotel. We have inspected the area and are satisfied that, with the barriers in place, there is no risk to the public.
“We are liaising with the owner of the hotel and have requested that he inspects the building to ensure there is no further risk of any loose material falling from the building.”
