The clock is once again ticking to tidy up a derelict Isle of Wight hotel after the latest appeal bid by its former owners has failed.
Phoenix Commercial Property Development (PCPD) will have until 9th May 2024 to tidy and secure The Ocean Hotel, in Sandown, after an almost two-year-long court battle.
Section 215 notice
A Section 215 notice was first issued in February 2022, and set 15 actions for the Durham-based company to comply with, which included repairing fencing, removing greenery and cleaning the property.
The company appealed the order and has been trying to fight the matter but has lost multiple appeals at different stages of the court system.
Appeal rejected (again)
Now the Isle of Wight council has confirmed PCPD’s latest action, for the case to be stated — which would have taken the matter to the High Court — was declined.
It was rejected on 8th January 2024, by the same judge who dismissed PCPD’s appeal at Crown Court in November, His Honour Judge Shephard.
The council says the dismissal now means the notice is in force and the requirements have to be undertaken within the set two and four month timeframes, starting from 9th January 2024.
IWC: Specified works must be completed
An Isle of Wight council spokesperson said,
“Like the community that continues to be affected by the condition of the Ocean Hotel, we expect the specified works to be undertaken to the necessary standards within the required timeframes.
“If the work is not undertaken or it is not to the necessary standard, we will consider taking further action.”
Ownership passed through many hands
Since the hotel closed, its ownership has passed through many hands and has been the subject of vandalism and a major fire.
The notice was first issued to the hotel’s owners as the council said the building’s appearance significantly harmed both the land around it and the town itself.
The authority hoped if the works were done it would result in an improvement to the High Street and seafront area of the popular tourist town.
Can prosecute
If the work is not completed within the set timeframes, the Isle of Wight council can prosecute the owners and/or carry out the work and then recover the costs from the owner.
PCPD sold the freehold of the Ocean Hotel in 2022.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
