THE OWNER of Droitwich’s Raven Hotel has been warned to take urgent steps to protect the building or face legal action.

Wychavon District Council has written the owner giving them seven days to confirm when damage to the roof will be repaired and when fencing will be installed to secure the site.

If a satisfactory response is not received by the deadline, the council has warned it may use its legal powers to force the owner to carry out the work.

The move follows public concerns not enough is being done to prevent people vandalising the 16th Century Grade II listed building.

Recent break-ins have resulted in tiles being removed from the roof which mean parts of the building are now exposed to the weather.

West Mercia Police has also warned the owner they need to do more to prevent trespass and anti-social behaviour at the site or they will also be taking legal action.

In response, the owner has informed Wychavon CCTV cameras and an alarm system are being installed to improve security. But the council has now told them the measures do not go far enough.

Coun Richard Morris, Wychavon District Council’s executive board member for economic growth and tourism, said: “For some time myself, fellow local councillors and Wychavon officers have

been applying pressure to ensure the building is properly protected while we wait for development to start.

“Unfortunately, assurances we have been given to date have not been backed up by action, so we have had to take this next step.

“I hope now we will see a positive response from the owner and the right protection measures put in place to prevent further damage and the necessary repairs carried out as a matter of urgency.”

What is planned for the Raven Hotel site?

Outline permission was agreed in 2022 to allow the partial demolition, repair, refurbishment and conversion of the building for a residential, hospitality and leisure scheme.

Work could not start until a section 106 agreement detailing the required infrastructure and phasing of the project was agreed, and other issues highlighted in the outline proposal were dealt with.

Those issues have now been resolved and the S106 agreement has been signed, allowing the owner to get on with preparing for development work to start.

The historic parts of the building, which date from the 15th to the 19th Century, will be kept and repaired, refurbished and extended.

Work to detail original beams and features in the listed part of the building has already been carried out.

Hereford based heritage and conservation specialists Montez Architecture is working with Wychavon’s heritage team to ensure the project is delivered in a way that protects and enhances the character of the building.

The heritage team is already visiting the site to ensure the building is properly maintained.

Coun Morris added: “We have all been extremely annoyed and frustrated by how long this development has taken.

“Unfortunately, the process has been complicated and delayed due to the world situation and ongoing viability of the project.

“But the granting of full planning permission is a significant step forward that will allow the owner to start planning for work to start in earnest.

“We will continue to push for the earliest possible start date to the development, as this is the best way to secure the future of this iconic building, which means so much to the people of Droitwich Spa and is a key part of the town centre investment prospectus.”