Published: Wednesday, 2nd July, 2008 12:00
Council takes action over run-down hotel
By Jamie MacDonald
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The owners of the Alva Glen Hotel building will be served with a 'Defective Buildings Notice'.
Pic by: Jan van der Merwe
ACTION is being taken to improve the condition of a run-down former hotel in Alva.
Clackmannanshire Council’s regulatory committee has agreed that a ‘Defective Buildings Notice’ should be served on the owners of the former Alva Glen Hotel.
Councillors had expressed concern over the appearance, condition and progressive deterioration of the 200-year-old building, which has a prominent position in the town’s Stirling Street.
While the building does not yet pose a public safety risk, they agreed that enforcement action should be taken to prevent further deterioration and to avoid the building becoming a danger.
The Notice served on the owners will ensure the once-proud landmark building is brought back into a reasonable state of repair.
If the owners fail to comply with the terms of the Notice, the council can then carry out the necessary repairs and bill the owners for the work.
Committee convener, Councillor Alastair Campbell, said, “This building is a blight on the Hillfoots landscape and I am pleased to hear that Building Standards are taking a pro-active stance, tackling the issue before this eyesore becomes dangerous.
“While we all hope that dialogue with the owners bears fruit, sadly the reality is that the council may have to use its powers to bring the building into a reasonable state of repair.”
Alastair Mackenzie, the council’s building standards team leader, told the committee that officers had made several unsuccessful attempts to persuade the owners to make the required repairs.
In his report to the committee, Mr Mackenzie stated, “Despite considerable efforts, the owners appear unwilling or unable to take the necessary action to maintain the building to a reasonable standard.
“As a result it is continuing to deteriorate and its adverse impact on the character and visual amenity of the area increases.
“The current situation cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely in the hope the owners might eventually take reasonable and appropriate action voluntarily.
“It is not in the public interest to allow the current state of the building to so adversely affect local amenity.”
Councillor Gary Womersley said that regulatory powers should only be used by the council as a last resort, but agreed that in this case it was the right approach.
Councillor Eddie Carrick also supported the action, adding, “The building brings the area down. The owner saying he may fix it is not good enough. This decision will help the other traders in Alva.”
The effect of the notice will be to address the wind and water tightness of the building, eradicate any rot and the installation or repair of damp proofing within the buildings walls.
At present, Amigos Bar is the only part of the hotel in use.
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