The owners of an unsafe building in Copplestone have been given six weeks to demolish it, make the area safe and allow roads to be re-opened.

The building, the Cross Hotel, was found to be defective following a structural survey and an emergency road and footpath closure was put in place around the building to ensure the safety of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

Since the road closure on 3 April, which has resulted in a diversion, Mid Devon District Council has been working with Devon County Council and Copplestone Parish Council, as well as the owners of the building and specialist contractors to find a solution that will allow the area to be made safe and the road to reopen.

Following the discussions the Council issued a letter to the building’s owners, under Section 77 of the Building Act 1984, requiring them to take action to demolish the building and make the site safe, which would enable the road to re-open. The owners have already themselves applied for a demolition notice and all parties are now hopeful the building will be demolished within the next six weeks and the road will be able to reopen.

NMD Building Control, which is a collaboration between Mid Devon and North Devon District Councils, will continue to work closely with the owners of the building to monitor progress in relation to the demolition and ensure all the necessary steps are taken to ensure compliance within the six-week period.

While the Council will continue to work with the owners of the building, it can seek a court order to enforce the demolition, should the owners delay or default on the demolition process.

Andy Howard, Building Control Manager at NMD Building Control, said:

“We appreciate how much of an inconvenience this road closure is causing to drivers and pedestrians, but it remains necessary while the building is unsafe. From the outset NMD Building control, Mid Devon District Council and our highways partners at Devon County Council have been working at pace to ensure the situation is resolved as soon as possible, within the confines of legislation. We have been keeping the parish council informed as we seek to find the solution and are grateful for their support and that of the local community. We remain hopeful the road can re-open within the next six weeks. Our officers will be monitoring work and if progress is not made we can seek a court order, though at this stage we hope this will not be necessary.”