Work has finally started on the long-derelict building at the corner of Fitzroy Street and Station Avenue in Sandown, nearly a year after the owners were prosecuted by the Isle of Wight Council for failing to maintain the land.
The site – which includes 52, 54 and 56 Fitzroy Street, as well as 66 and 68 Station Avenue – has been at the centre of community concern for years, with complaints about its condition dating back more than a decade.
In October 2024, Graham Assets Limited and 61-year-old Moses Meisels were convicted at Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The case, brought by the Isle of Wight Council, related to the owners’ failure to comply with a planning enforcement notice requiring the site to be properly maintained.
Despite that conviction, the Council has since launched further legal proceedings. Court documents show that both parties are now accused of failing to take action after being found guilty, with a second charge linked to non-compliance with the enforcement notice.
The case was listed at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court in August and has been adjourned to Tuesday (7th October) for a case management hearing.
However, in recent days, work has finally begun at the site.
Local councillor Ian Ward has said on social media:
“At long last the owners of the building on the corner of Station Avenue and Fitzroy Street have started to comply with the IW Council’s Planning Enforcement Order.
Article continues below this advertisement “It’s taken several court cases because of ownership changes and appeals by the ‘owners’.
“The workmen told me the first task was the replacement of the windows.”
The site was previously boarded up by Police in May 2023 due to concerns about safety and access. In 2021, the Isle of Wight Council confirmed that a compulsory purchase order was being considered due to the building’s deteriorating state.
It remains to be seen whether the current works will be sufficient to meet the requirements of the enforcement notice and bring an end to the long-running issue in Sandown town centre.
About time, now all the numpty tradesman will be
parking on double yellow lines and pavements whilst
carrying out the works.
What happens in the real world eg (the mainland)
Tradesman drop off their materials and tools etc
then go and park in a car park and forward the parking
charges on to the persons they are carrying out the
works for.
THE ISLAND DOES THINGS IN UNUSAL LAWLESS WAYS!!
Something else to moan about then.
I always like to expose some home truths I
see on a daily basis on Numptyisle!
Whoever is in charge of parking on the island
is as much use as an empty big roll.
I know it will never happen, but I’d like to see owners like this slapped with 28 days in jail. That would be a wake up call to all who bring a whole community down by their inaction.