The Isle of Wight Council and the Police have said enough is enough and have begun boarding up the derelict Ocean Hotel in Sandown at the taxpayer’s cost.
Contractors Vectis Group Security arrived in the seaside town today (Monday) to begin work to secure the entire ground level of the former hotel with metal boarding material. Any potential ledges or staircases that could provide access to the upper floors are set to be removed or guarded.
In addition, vegetation is to be removed from the Esplanade frontage and an additional perimeter line of defence from unauthorised entry with Heras fencing will be added within the gardens. Work is set to be completed within the next 2 weeks.
It comes after a significant period of anti-social behaviour in and around the derelict site.
Once a grand hotel, the Ocean closed down in 2017 and became embroiled in the Carlauren scandal. Then, in May 2021, a blaze ripped through the building.
In more recent times the Ocean Hotel has been used by squatters and vandals. It has become a target for arsonists too. It’s also now subject to a court case, brought forward by the Isle of Wight Council. However, the situation drags on with an appeal process underway.
In light of the continuing situation and the risk to public health, the local authority entered the property this morning under Section 29 of the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1982.
Officials were satisfied that such action was necessary to undertake works immediately in order to secure the building against unauthorised entry and/or to prevent it from becoming a danger to public health.
Although public money is being used to fund the boarding works, the local authority can recover the expenses of doing so from the landowner.
Councillor Paul Fuller, Cabinet member for planning, has said:
“This protective measure is a significant and positive step forward to reduce anti-social behaviour while we continue to work towards a longer-term solution for this property.
“Our decision to use emergency powers to secure the building against unauthorised entry reflects the importance and seriousness of the situation.
“Intruders are not only putting themselves and the local community in danger, they are also risking the safety of our emergency services who are called there regularly.”
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary says that a successful collaboration between partner agencies has led to the work getting underway this week, in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour at the property.
Sergeant Ben Sharland, from the South Wight Neighbourhoods Policing Team, says:
“The issues at the Ocean Hotel have persisted for a long time, and understandably the local community have had enough.
“These problems have ranged from anti-social behaviour attributed to repeated trespass at the site, to more serious offending such as arson which presents a real risk to life. The building is derelict, and is therefore in itself also a safety hazard to anyone who accesses it.
“The South Wight Team have put a lot of work in both from an investigation point of view and also collaboratively with partners to find an effective solution to these issues.
“This has included making three arrests in relation to the recent arson series, for which our investigation remains ongoing, liaising with outreach services and the local authority in order to find housing for rough sleepers who have been known to use the site, and working with the Community Safety Partnership and local authority to introduce more robust security measures that will prevent access and further offending.
“The security measures currently being implemented are the next step in ridding the site of crime and anti-social behaviour and we will continue to take action and work with partners should any further concerns be raised to us by the local community.”
Local ward member, Councillor Ian Ward, adds:
“The Ocean Hotel has been a blight on Sandown for several years and I fully understand and share the frustration and anger of our residents.
“The owners have fought the Isle of Wight Council at every attempt to deal with the situation by taking legal action several times to oppose the council, unfortunately, each case takes many months to resolve.
“I thank the receiver, the council’s planning enforcement team and legal officers, plus the police who have all supported me. All the courts have agreed with the council so hopefully we can now move forward.”
About time the owners (whoever they are) actually took responsibility
““Our decision to use emergency powers to secure the building against unauthorised entry reflects the importance and seriousness of the situation.”
It was important and serious for years – well done for doing your jobs, all these years later.
Council is quick to take the credit, so that’s at least one thing they act swiftly and effectively on for Sandown.
A little more paper and boarding for the idiots to use.