AN EYESORE looming over Harlech could finally be razed to the ground next year.

The derelict St David’s Hotel has been a bone of contention for many locals in the area since its closure in 2008, as the building has fallen into an increasingly desperate state of disrepair.

Earlier this year, the Snowdonia Park Planning Authority announced it was considering taking direct action following the failure of the owners of St David’s Hotel to do the job themselves.

In September 2017, Aitchison Associates Ltd, based in Gibraltar, were fined the maximum sum of £1,000 by Caernarfon magistrates for failing to comply with a notice to demolish the building, which was originally built in 1910.

Now local community group Harlech in Action has pushed on with the campaign to knock down the once proud establishment.

“A demolition order was placed on St David’s Hotel two and a half years ago, and fines were imposed for non-compliance,” said a spokesperson for Harlech In Action.

“It’s up to the courts to enforce these. The Snowdonia National Park Authority (SNPA) can demolish and charge the owners, though enforcement on the Gibraltar-based owners is unpredictable.

“Our lobbying of Welsh Government has produced some potential funding for demolition and tender documents are being prepared by SNPA.

“The next window for demolition is April 2019 because of the bats.”

The latest round of talks surrounding the dilapidated hotel come after talks between the building’s owner, who were supposed to convert the building into a new holiday complex, and the Welsh Government.

“The owners said that they would carry out and pay for the demolition of the hotel and now recognise a smaller hotel might be more feasible,” continued the spokesperson.

“They favour a single hotel development in Harlech and the community council will be compiling a report shortly.

“After a decade of inaction, it remains to be seen whether the owners will deliver on their promises but there is now a possibility of the hotel being demolished in 2019.”

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