The owners of a Sandown eyesore must pay thousands of pounds in fines and costs after failing to undertake repairs to the property.
Graham Assets Ltd and company director, Moses Meisels, were prosecuted by the Isle of Wight Council for failing to comply with a Section 215 Notice in relation to a large derelict building on the corner of Fitzroy Street and Station Avenue.
No-one from the mainland company was present at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court for Tuesday's hearing, but the case proceeded in their absence and was found proved.
The landowners must collectively pay nearly £8,000 in fines, surcharges and costs.
The council said the legal action underlined its commitment to actively enforcing against owners of buildings that are falling into a state of disrepair.
Councillor Paul Fuller, Cabinet member for planning, said:
"This has been a long process, which started before the sale of the building in 2021.
"Despite significant attempted communication by the council, the landowner failed to undertake any remedial works to bring the property back to a satisfactory level of repair with a knock-on affect of anti-social behaviour and trespass into the building.
"It will always be in the landowners’ best interests to work with the council to avoid formal action.
"This prosecution goes to prove that trying to ignore the council can end up with landowners having a criminal record and paying fines."
In July 2023 the council served a notice under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which specified an extensive list of repairs required.
The Notice came into effect on 31 August 2023 with a compliance period of six months.
The council established that by March 2024 no works had been undertaken and therefore the landowner was in breach of the Notice.
Local ward member, Councillor Ian Ward, said:
"This building has lain desolate and has negatively affected this part of Sandown for many years.
"The owners have recently been given planning permission for flats so I hope this will give them the incentive to solve one of Sandown’s problem buildings."
Engine Problems Lead To Yarmouth RNLI Callout To Osborne Bay
Ryde Academy Students Donate To Two Worthy Causes At Christmas
Road Improvement Works To Get Underway From The Very Start Of The New Year
Isle of Wight Youth Trust Benefits From Big Give Support
Council Chair 'Furious' Over Floating Bridge Replacement Fiasco
Fire Service Travel To Island Contributes To Huge Budget Overspend
Department Approaching Completion In Ryde As Opening Date Announced
Guidance Issued Over Sharps Disposal As Waste Teams At Risk
Police Warnings Over E-Scooters Ahead Of Christmas Day
Controversial Freshwater Housing Proposal Turned Down
Rare Mantis Shrimp Discovery Made In Waters Off Isle Of Wight
Man In 50s Confirmed Dead Following Newport Crash
Pedestrian In Hospital With Serious Injuries Following Early Morning Motorcycle Crash
Cowes Stately Home To Have Facilities Upgraded As Part Of Approved Renovation
Ofsted Deliver Glowing Report For 'Welcoming' And 'Highly Ambitious' Island Primary School
Help Available For Islanders To Cut Energy Bills
Cowes Lifeboat Performs Mid-Solent Rescue Of Fishing Boat
Christmas Shopping With A Difference In Ryde – Half A Mile Out To Sea!
Home-From-Home' Nursery Given 'Outstanding' Ofsted Grade
