Work is being carried out to secure a derelict seafront hotel which has been blighted by repeated trespassing and vandalism.
Since closing to guests in 2017, the Ocean Hotel in Sandown has become a target for arsonists and vandals with a series of fires worsening its condition.
Now the Isle of Wight Council has stepped in to secure the eyesore site using emergency powers under Section 29 of the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1982.
Councillor Paul Fuller, Cabinet member for planning, said:
"This protective measure is a significant and positive step forward to reduce anti-social behaviour while we continue to work towards a longer-term solution for this property.
"Our decision to use emergency powers to secure the building against unauthorised entry reflects the importance and seriousness of the situation.
"Intruders are not only putting themselves and the local community in danger, they are also risking the safety of our emergency services who are called there regularly."
All potential access points to the ground floor will be closed using metal sheeting, while any potential ledges or staircases which may provide access to the upper floors will be removed or guarded.
Meanwhile, vegetation will be removed from the Esplanade frontage and an additional perimeter line of defence from unauthorised entry with Heras fencing will be added within the gardens.
The works are being carried out by Vectis Security Group Ltd and are expected to take around two weeks to complete.
Sergeant Ben Sharland, from the South Wight Neighbourhoods Policing Team, said:
“The issues at the Ocean Hotel have persisted for a long time, and understandably the local community have had enough.
“These problems have ranged from anti-social behaviour attributed to repeated trespass at the site, to more serious offending such as arson which presents a real risk to life. The building is derelict, and is therefore in itself also a safety hazard to anyone who accesses it.
“The South Wight Team have put a lot of work in both from an investigation point of view and also collaboratively with partners to find an effective solution to these issues.
“The security measures currently being implemented are the next step in ridding the site of crime and anti-social behaviour and we will continue to take action and work with partners should any further concerns be raised to us by the local community.”
Local ward member, Councillor Ian Ward, said:
"The Ocean Hotel has been a blight on Sandown for several years and I fully understand and share the frustration and anger of our residents.
"The owners have fought the Isle of Wight Council at every attempt to deal with the situation by taking legal action several times to oppose the council, unfortunately, each case takes many months to resolve.
"I thank the receiver, the council's planning enforcement team and legal officers, plus the police who have all supported me. All the courts have agreed with the council so hopefully we can now move forward."
Alex Lightfoot, the mayor of Sandown, added:
“Sandown welcomes the action being taken by the Isle of Wight Council on the Ocean Hotel, and has been proactively working with the council's enforcement team to tackle other sites."
The action comes as The Isle of Wight Community Partnership warns children and young people that they are putting their lives at risk by entering derelict buildings.
The partnership has called on parents and carers to help educate their children after a number of reports of people entering empty and dangerous properties over the summer holidays.
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