DEVELOPERS planning to demolish Porthmadog’s Coliseum “imminently” have come under fire after claims they failed to inform residents when it will take place.

Near the end of 2015, Gwynedd Council’s planning committee approved plans to demolish the Coliseum, which closed in 2011, despite receiving over 300 objections.

The developers, Develop UK Northern Ltd, have now erected scaffolding around the building and have told the Cambrian News that demolition will start imminently but refused to give the date.

Cllr Jason Humphreys said he was disappointed the developers had not engaged with residents regarding the demolition.

He said: “I’m aware that scaffolding has been erected around the building and I’ve heard rumours of companies having bid for the demolition work.

“As has been said many times befor­e, people will miss the Coliseum.

“However, there is growing eage­rness to see something happening and very keen interest around what’s going to transpire.

“Neither I, nor the nearby residents that I’ve spoken to, have heard anything from official sources.

“Companies should engage with local residents, even when pushing through a difficult matter such as the demolition of a much-loved building.

“Apart from being the decent and proper thing to do, it’s in their own interest because in the digital age, word tends to carry and research is quite easy.”

A Develop UK Northern Ltd spokesperson would not confirm the date the demolition would be carried out and said they have gone through the proper channels to let the community know the plans surrounding the Coliseum.

The spokesperson said: “The demolition of the Coliseum will take place imminently.

“We been granted a demolition order from Gwynedd Council and everything has been carried out according to the law.”

A Gwynedd Council spokesman said the council does not have any specific information in regards to the date that the developers intend to demolish the Coliseum.

A council spokesman said: “In September, the council’s planning committee approved an application for the demolition of the Coliseum building in Porthmadog.

“As part of the conditions of the approval it notes that the developer has a period of five years to complete the demolition process.

It is a matter for the developer whether the building is demolished.”