URGENT works to make the Ravel Hotel in Droitwich Spa safe will be facilitated by Wychavon after the owner missed a court deadline to take action.
The council has ordered the work to be carried out to ensure the public’s safety after owners – Live Urban Two – failed to comply with its court order.
Live Urban Two was issued with the order in November under Section 77 of the Building Act 1984 to make the former hotel safe.
It followed an incident on September 24 where parts of the guttering on the section of the building that is set to be demolished fell into the road.
They had until December 8 to comply with the order. But inspections carried out this week found the required work had either not been carried out or was inadequate.
Some propping had been installed inside the building, but a structural surveyor found it would not be enough to prevent further collapse of the first floor of the property.
No scaffolding or netting is in place to stop tiles and debris from falling into the street and officers weren’t satisfied any attempt had been made to fix holes in the roof to stop water causing more damage to the building.
Wychavon has now informed the owner they will instruct contractors to carry out the required work and claim back the costs.
This will include scaffold hire and any required road closures. It usually takes up to two weeks to organise contractors, but efforts are being made to bring the work forward.
Councillor Richard Morris, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member for Economic Growth and Tourism, said: “The owner has had chance after chance to show they are serious about protecting one of Droitwich, and Wychavon’s, key heritage assets and they have failed to deliver every time.
“We’ve now lost confidence in their ability to protect the building and the public which is why we are taking this action.
“We’ll ensure the necessary work is carried out as soon as is practically possible.
“We’ve also asked officers to explore all available options to safeguard the building’s future.”
