ACTION is still to be taken to spruce up a Sandown eyesore hotel with the Isle of Wight Council saying it is disappointed with the owners.

Earlier this month, the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court threw out the appeal of Phoenix Commercial Property Developments (PCPD), the owners of the Ocean Hotel on Sandown Esplanade and High Street.

It was fighting an enforcement notice issued to it by the Isle of Wight Council, arguing the requirements were too much and the condition of the land did not adversely affect the council's land.

A lack of communication from PCPD resulted in the appeal being dismissed before a full trial could take place.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Reacting to the positive result, a council spokesperson said they were, of course, pleased with the outcome but remained disappointed that, to date, the landowner has failed to take action.

They have also failed, the council said, to engage with the council or the local community on this matter.

The owners have until November 15 to complete every clean-up action required by the Isle of Wight Council, but until September 15 to comply with 13 of the 15 actions included in the Section 215 notice.

The council spokesperson said the situation would be monitored and a compliance check undertaken after the November deadline when the next course of action will be determined.

Isle of Wight County Press:

If nothing has been done, the council can carry out the work required and recover the cost from the owners for any expenses reasonably incurred.

Magistrates have already required PCPD to pay £2,000 towards the council's legal costs.

The Isle of Wight Council’s efforts had been praised by Hampshire Constabulary’s South Wight Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Sgt Ben Sharland, posting on Facebook, said: “[The planning services team] are completing some incredible work to make this site safe and to reduce the negative impact it is having on our communities. We think you are awesome!”

Isle of Wight County Press:

Hampshire Constabulary is itself taking legal action against PCPD, under a Community Protection Notice, for not taking action to secure the building.

PCPD had two months to first comply with a warning notice and then an official order but failed to do so.

The matter is currently being prepared for the magistrates' court but could be heard for the first time next month, after a summons to court has been sent to the owners.