Council has go ahead to demolish private building

A council has secured the legal go-ahead to have a privately-owned former hotel demolished.

Torbay Council said it had appointed contractors to fully demolish the buildings at 62-70 Victoria Street in Paignton, Devon, after it was granted consent by magistrates on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the council said the structures had been "allowed to deteriorate to dangerous condition" and posed "an unacceptable risk to public safety".

They added demolition was likely to take about six weeks and could begin within the next two weeks, the cost of which would be recovered from the owners of the building.

Council leader David Thomas said it was "not acceptable for unsafe buildings to put people at risk or cause prolonged disruption in the heart of our town centre".

He said: "Our priority is clear: to remove the unsafe structure, reopen Victoria Street as quickly as possible, protect the public, and ensure costs are recovered from the owners rather than local taxpayers."

He added such legal powers had not been used for many years but were being invoked now because public safety was at risk.

The buildings were constructed in the 1890s as the Bailey's Hotel to accommodate and impress the increasing number of visitors arriving by train.

The row had been home to a pub, takeaway and mobile phone shop, but have stood empty since November last year over safety fears.

The owners of the properties have previously been contacted by the BBC for comment.

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