Two enforcement notices have been issued to the owners of buildings in Ross-on-Wye, following on from the issuing of a notice to the owners of an empty property in Broad Street

The Ross-on-Wye Town Council Planning Committee asked Herefordshire Council to issue formal Section 215 Notices to the owner of the Riverside Inn and to the owner of 33, Gloucester Road (Domino’s).

The notice to the pub owner orders him to tidy up the building in Wye Street and its perimeter within 30 days and takes effect from May 14th, if no appeal is received.

At the Town Council meeting in March Ross resident Joyce Thomas asked the Councillors what was being done about The Riverside Inn, which has been empty for many years.

She asked them to look into the possibility of an enforcement notice for the once thriving, popular pub.

She showed the Councillors pictures of the building at their meeting on Monday, March 11th and said that it was in an appalling condition. She said: “Once this was a desirable restaurant in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Councillor Caroline Utting, the Planning Committee Chairwoman said that she agreed wholeheartedly with Mrs Thomas and said: “The building is an embarrassment to Ross.”

The owner of 33, Gloucester Road has also been told to tidy up the frontage of the first floor of the building within 30 days, and the notice takes effect on May 23rd, if no appeal is made.

In January of this year, again at the request of the Ross Town Council, it was decided by Herefordshire Council officers to issue a Section 215 notice on the owner of the empty property next to Peacocks in Broad Street.

The town’s Planning Committee has asked the deputy clerk to follow this up as no improvement appears to have been made to the exterior of the building.

Cllr Caroline Utting said: “The committee is very mindful of the detrimental effect poorly maintained buildings have on the look of the town and works with the local authority to try and get improvements made.”