THE owners of a derelict hotel overlooking one of the most picturesque beaches in Wales could be landed with yet another hefty court bill.

In April, Aitchison Associates Ltd, based in Gibraltar, were fined £20,900 and ordered to pay costs of £782 by Caernarfon magistrates for failing to comply with a court order to demolish the once-grand St David’s Hotel in Harlech.

Notices were served on the company in January 2016 to demolish the building, which was considered unsafe, and to clear the site.

In September last year they were fined the maximum sum of £1,000 for failing to comply, and the Snowdonia National Park Authority followed it up with further action when the company failed to respond.

In a report to next week’s meeting of the planning committee officers say: “Further prosecution proceedings are commencing in respect of the continued non-compliance of the Section 215 notice.”

The hotel, alongside one of the main approaches to Harlech, was built in 1910 and then rebuilt 12 years later after a massive fire.

It closed in 2008 and its condition has deteriorated ever since.

Local residents have long complained about the eyesore, especially as it is in such a prominent location close to the castle, a World Heritage site.

In 2009 planning consent was given to demolish the property and build a 130-bedroom hotel and 76 holiday apartments on the site.

No progress was made and the permission was renewed in 2014 , but the planning authority then served a Section 215 notice on Aitchison Associates to demolish the hotel by April, 2017.

The company has not been represented at either of the court hearings.

The authority is now considering taking direct action under Section 219 and recovering the cost from the owners.