Enforcement action could be taken on an East Cowes eyesore which has been empty for almost ten years.
The former East Cowes Health Centre, on York Avenue, has been closed since 2012 after the new medical centre, closer to the heart of the town, officially opened.
The new centre was part of the town’s regeneration and now sits opposite Waitrose.
The practice’s once home at Down House, however, has not had the same fate, being left derelict.
Love: Site is being reviewed by officers
Cllr Karl Love recently mentioned, at the East Cowes Town Council annual meeting, he had been working with Isle of Wight Council officers to see what could be done to tidy the site up.
Now, an Isle of Wight council spokesperson has confirmed the old doctors’ surgery site is being reviewed by officers, which could result in formal enforcement action being taken.
The enforcement action could mean the site is made more presentable and less of an eyesore.
Planning permission granted
Planning permission was granted in 2013 to demolish part of Down House, build two new houses and refurbish the remaining part into a third property, but no action was taken and permission since lapsed.
In 2014, there was a failed attempt to make the building an asset of community value, which could have seen community groups take over.
Site listed for sale
It is thought Down House was last sold in 2015, but has since been listed as being available to rent through estate agents Hose Rhodes Dickson for £25,000 a year.
Despite all this, the surgery sits empty and has become increasingly overgrown.
Section 215 notice
Under a Section 215 notice, the Isle of Wight council can demand property owners tidy up their land, within a set period.
The authority can do so if it believes the amenity of its own land is adversely affected by the condition of neighbouring land.
Other examples
The Isle of Wight Council started enforcement action against the Ocean Hotel in Sandown earlier this year but any improvement work on the site has been paused after the hotel’s owners appealed the council’s notice to the Magistrates’ Court.
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
