The owners of a derelict Sandown Hotel could be facing criminal charges unless they meet a looming deadline.
Phoenix Commercial Property Developments (PCPD), have just a couple of days left to make the Ocean Hotel, on Sandown Esplanade secure — stopping trespassers — after Hampshire Constabulary put its foot down.
Community Protection Notice
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.
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.
Failing to comply a criminal offence
Failing to comply with the notice is a criminal offence and could lead to an unlimited fine if the matter is prosecuted in court.
Last weekend, Hampshire Constabulary said no actions had been attempted at the site but it was committed to seeing the process through and bringing criminal charges if the CPN is breached.
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson has since confirmed the actions have still not been completed, but the owners have ‘acknowledged receipt’ of the CPN.
A summons to court will be raised
PCPD have until midnight on 11th July to comply with the notice and if that is not done, the police have said it will be ‘raising a summons to court’.
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.
Appeal hearing at Magistrates Court
The Isle of Wight Council has also tried to take action this year 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.
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
Image: © Colin Midmore
