Copplestone building owners given six weeks to demolish it
Mid Devon District Council say the structure's unsafe, with roads closed
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 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 3rd April, 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.
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.
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.”