The previous Royal Victoria Resort in Newport may very well be purchased by Telford & Wrekin Council – however solely as a final resort, a councillor has mentioned.

On Thursday the council introduced it had stepped in and is to structurally safe the constructing after the February 21 deadline handed to the proprietor by the Well being and Security Govt at Telford Magistrates’ Court docket had expired.

The crumbling listed lodge has been branded an “eyesore” by residents and companies within the space after being propped up by scaffolding for greater than 4 years. An exclusion zone was arrange across the constructing final month attributable to well being and security fears, closing one of many busy city’s busiest roads, St Mary’s Road.

The council’s transfer will see the lodge made protected and the invoice for the work handed to the proprietor of the property, Roger Brock.

Unbiased councillor for Newport, Peter Scott, mentioned: the council’s determination was a “aid” for each residents and merchants however there was no date but set for when work to make the lodge protected would start.“We haven’t bought a day or date but for the works to begin however it’s a aid that the council is taking it significantly.”

“Everybody, and specifically the merchants can be very relieved because it has had an impression on earnings of city.”

He added: that if it got here all the way down to it, the council might step in and buy the property if the proprietor continues to neglect it.“I’ve requested if the council would think about a obligatory buy and they might however solely as a final resort.”

“The issue is we all know that if we purchase the constructing it’s in a poor state, so to develop it’s going to value seven figures. It will be significantly better if the developer finishes it or it’s offered to a brand new proprietor, however as a final resort the council might purchase it.”

Mr Brock, who was granted planning permission to show the dilapidated nineteenth century constructing into flats in 2021, was unavailable to touch upon the council’s determination however has beforehand denied intentionally letting the constructing fall into disrepair.

He had beforehand insisted the listed constructing must be demolished, however the council mentioned it will not approve such a transfer. The constructing is at present up on the market.