The owners of a derelict Sandown Hotel now run the risk of criminal charges as they have failed to meet a legally-enforceable deadline to tidy up the Esplanade eyesore.
Phoenix Commerical Property Developments (PCPD) had to make the Ocean Hotel secure — stopping trespassers — after Hampshire Constabulary put its foot down.
Following a warning notice — which was not complied with — the South Wight Neighbourhood Policing Team issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) last month, which means certain actions must be completed by law. They are: putting up a secure perimeter fence which is regularly inspected and maintained; the installation of CCTV and boarding up every access point on every level of the building.
In recent years the hotel has attracted vandals and arson attacks as it stood empty, with a major fire in May last year worsening its condition.
The required actions under the CPN have not been completed and it now seems likely that Police will be raising a summons to court. Failing to comply with the notice is a criminal offence and could lead to an unlimited fine.
Hampshire Constabulary last week said it is committed to seeing the process through and bringing criminal charges if the CPN is breached. The Force has confirmed that the owners are aware of the CPN.
The Isle of Wight Council has also tried to take action to get the eyesore hotel cleaned up, but PCPD is appealing the official notice in the Magistrates Court. A date has been set for 3rd August to decide the matter in court but the notice — which included 13 actions like clearing vegetation, cleaning windows and removing steel supports — has been paused.
I am sure they are quaking in their crocodile hand made shoes.
Their lawyers will eat the inept, ineffective and perhaps corrupt Councils efforts to extract cash from them.
WE will likely end up paying more on our Council tax to cover the losses from a useless and suss council.
Likely much more to this than is apparent, as who in their right mind own a valuable asset and allow it to crumble without deeper ulterior motives?
Read between the lines imo
We all know that nothing will come of it
Yes, NOTHING will come of it, but we will all be paying for that nothing on increased council tax. Likely as someone said, more to this than is apparent to us, yet.
The owners have probably worked out that it is cheaper to pay a fine than remediate the situation (as with Southern water). there needs to be the threat of prison sentences for directors. That may get results.
It’s a mess and a horrible looking building. Knock the whole row down and start again.
Yeah brilliant idea and who will pay for that?
What I don’t get is why there is no onsite security? Other parts of the country have a security presence on disused buildings solely to keep the eejits out.
I have an associate that does just that on the big island and it pays well.
Maybe site security should be installed by the council and the bill sent to the owners? If they don’t pay, then section off parts of the site to cover the costs?
Or is this stating the blinking obvious?
they would only do something, if there was the risk that the property would be forfeit to the local council with no payments to the owners.
yes must agree bang them in prison fine no use taken to the high court!!