DEMOLITION work will begin this week on eyesore building that has blighted a Wiltshire high street for more than a decade.
Contractors will start to demolish 3 High Street in Warminster next to the town’s historic 13th century St Lawrence Chapel.
South West Wiltshire MP, Dr Andrew Murrison, said: "I am so very pleased that this appalling eyesore will be no more. I commend those involved in getting it sorted.
"Looking to the future, I want a development that will enhance rather than detract from the townscape.
“Although frankly anything is better than the existing, I hope what emerges will, in particular, acknowledge St Lawrence Chapel and give it the respectful space it warrants."
Dr Murrison said he plans to visit the site again on Friday (March 15) when hopefully demolition will be underway.
Last November, Warminster Town Council welcomed the enforcement action taken by Wiltshire Council against the owner of the building at Swindon Magistrates Court.
On Monday, November 13, the court ordered the owners to remove all the growth from the front and side elevation within eight weeks of the court order.
The owner was told to reinstate the plywood hoarding to the scaffolding to prevent access to the scaffolding and the building; remove all loose masonry from the front and side elevations; and ensure a structural assessment is undertaken by a specialist.
While the building demolition is likely to take around six weeks, the owner has since withdrawn plans to construct new shops, five flats, and six houses pending a new application being submitted.
Warminster mayor, Cllr Philip Keeble said: “The scaffolding around 3 The High Street has been in place for over 10 years and Warminster Town Council has been pressing for a solution most of that time.
“However, the building is privately owned, and we understand even changed ownership during that time, and the powers of both the town council and Wiltshire Council are very limited.
“Over the last year, the town council has been in regular dialogue with the developer, the site owner, Wiltshire Council, and others to try and move this forward, even taking the unusual step of agreeing to undertake some survey work to help unlock a planning stalemate.
“Informally, the town council have also explored options including purchasing the building. However, rough estimates put the cost at around £550K to £700K to purchase, demolish and then do something simple with the site.
“This is money the council does not have and would need to be raised through the precept element of the Council Tax. Crowd funding has also been suggested.
“Compulsory purchase is also often suggested but this is very expensive, complicated, and as far as we are aware only been used once by Wiltshire Council.
“Clearly, our preferred solution is for the developer to get on and proceed with the works. The town council have raised safety concerns with Wiltshire Council, particularly regarding the scaffolding.
“It seems this pressure has resulted in Wiltshire Council taking court action against the building owner and an order made by Swindon Magistrates Court for the owner to undertake various remedial works with eight weeks from the date of order to comply.
“We are unsighted of the extent of those works but they will be limited to removing any immediate danger.
“Scaffolders have been working on site and have informed the town clerk that they are putting up double boarding so if the colonnades collapsed, they would fall downwards and not outwards.
“The town council is as exasperated and ashamed of this eyesore as anyone else and remains committed to its removal and a satisfactory solution.”
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