Progress expected on 'eyesore' former hotel

Progress to address the state of a delapidated landmark building was expected soon, a council says.

The state of the former Royal Oak Hotel, an 18th century building in South Street, Leominster, led to a protest in the town last year.

Herefordshire Council confirmed it had served a building notice on the owner of listed building, believed to be Jay Rai, after concerns were raised "over unsafe masonry and window panes falling onto the pavement".

Rai had complied with the notice and paid for scaffolding and protective netting around it. MP Ellie Chowns called the building an eyesore.

The council added it was working with the owner's agent "who is preparing a planning application for the future of the building".

"Surveys have been completed and further work is under way ahead of an application being submitted," a council spokesman said.

"If progress does not continue, the council will review its enforcement position."

Asked about the state of three-storey building at a public meeting in the town, Chowns, the Green Party MP for North Herefordshire, called the case "hugely frustrating".

"Town councillors have worked on this over many years to force action, but their power is limited," she said.

"That's problematic when it has an impact on the town – as an eyesore, but also in safety terms with bits dropping off it."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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