Owners of fire-ravaged pub told to improve site

The owners of a listed pub wrecked by fire have been ordered to improve and secure the site.

The former New Inn pub, on the corner of Milton Road and King Street, in Gravesend, Kent, was destroyed by a blaze on 27 May, 2022.

Gravesham Borough Council said attempts to work with the owners had been unsuccessful.

In June, the authority served notice on them, requiring an historic building professional to be appointed to supervise work.

It demands salvaged material be stored securely and that hoardings be improved.

Gravesham council's cabinet member for planning, Shane Mochrie-Cox, said: "I understand and share the frustration and anger of local residents and businesses that this key site in the town centre has been in a state of ruin for three years now.

"The reality is, it is a privately-owned site, and local councils actually have very limited legal powers to compel the owners to take action in situations such as these."

The council, Mr Mochrie-Cox said, understood the challenges and expense owning a listed site brought for owners.

He said: "Despite initial reassurances that work would start, the site remains a blight on the town centre.

"Enough is enough, and the serving of the Section 215 notice is considered a last resort after those offers of help and support have been ignored.

"The owners have until October to comply."

Failure to do so would be a criminal offence, Mr Mochrie-Cox added.

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