OWNERS of an “eyesore” hotel have been fined £1,000.

On Wednesday at Caernarfon Magistrates Court, the owners of the derelict St David’s Hotel, Harlech were fined a maximum four-figure sum for failing to comply with a Section 215 Notice to demolish the building.

If owners Aitchison Associates continue to ignore the notice given to them, they could be fined another £100 for every day they do not act.

The large hotel is in a prominent position within Harlech, being in an elevated position and in close proximity to Harlech Castle, a designated World Heritage Site.

In 2009, the National Park granted a conditional planning permission for the demolition of the hotel and college hall of residence and for the construction of a new 130 bedroom hotel and 76 holiday apartments.

Despite the requisite planning permission, the developer has not proceeded with the project.

In December 2015, under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, a notice was served by the National Park Authority due to the unacceptable state of the derelict hotel and the adverse impact this was having on the area’s beauty and the residents’ amenities.

It required the owners, Aitchison Associates Limited, to demolish the hotel and clear the site completely by 18 April 2017.

As a result of Aitchison Associates not complying with the notice, in their absence from court, the magistrates issued the maximum fine of £1,000, a victim surcharge of £100 and costs to the authority of £552.20.

Jonathan Cawley, the authority’s director of planning and land management, said: “This matter continues to be frustrating to both the National Park Authority and in particular to the local residents of Harlech. Due to its complicated nature, we believe that the owners were given ample time to demolish this eyesore of a building and clear the site. It is therefore very disappointing that the company ignored the notice served on them.

“We are however heartened that the court agreed to proceed with dealing with the matter in the absence of the company and that the maximum fine for failure to comply with a Section 215 Notice was given.

“If the owners continue to ignore the requirements of the notice, the authority will consider further options available, which include issuing further court proceedings which could see the company from today, fined £100 for every day that the notice is not complied with.”

Alistair Aitchison, director of Aitchison Associates, has been approached for comment.