Ashby's Royal Hotel added to national 'at risk' register - saying 19th century town landmark suffers from 'slow decay'
By Graham Hill 6th Nov 2021
The vacant Royal Hotel in Ashby has been added to Historic England's 'at risk' register.
It has been named by the organisation as being of concern, reports the BBC website.
Historic England said it was working to try to ensure the building's future.
It added progress had been made at sites across the East Midlands that were previously at risk.
The Royal has been of concern to residents and Ashby de la Zouch Town Council since it closed three years ago.
There is an 'open' planning application on the site but Historic England's assessment does not make encouraging reading.
It says it is in 'poor' condition and is described as 'Priority C - slow decay, no solution agreed'.
Historic England says of the Royal: "Hotel built c.1826 and constructed of red brick and stone.
"Large porch with Greek Doric columns where the fluting has been removed.
"Since the hotel closed in 2018 the building has been vacant and has suffered from heritage crime.
"The roofs and rainwater disposal system require renewal.
"Delamination of stone 'slips' to elevations. Internally there is defective plaster work and failing ceilings as a result of water ingress and stolen pipework.
"The building owners commissioned a condition report in 2020.
"There is a live planning application on the site for a large amount of new development."
Ashby councillors have long been concerned about the future of what was the only hotel in the town centre.
The car park has remained closed and was home to works vehicles and equipment until recently.
Last March, Cllr David Bigby wrote an open letter to Simon Dawson, Director of the Royal's owners Oakland Hotels Ltd.
You can read that HERE.
But in July, officers from North West Leicestershire District Council said they are continuing to work with the owners of the Royal Hotel in Ashby to secure the long term future of the Grade II listed building.
In a statement from the District Council, it was said that Historic England were already advising that the building will be included on the 2021 Heritage at Risk Register.
You can read that article HERE.
The current planning application for the site, from 2019, is for the erection of a 30 apartment terrace, office building, cafe kiosk and 45 senior living apartment block with associated car parking access, landscaping and associated access amendments.
This has attracted a number of objections from residents, councillors and the Ashby Civic Society which made its frustrations clear in April, you can read that article HERE.
In July 2020, Ashby de la Zouch Town Council demanded action be taken over the future of the building which it said was 'falling into disrepair'.
You can read that article HERE.
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