Calls for progress on disused hotel site

The Upper Reaches Hotel, alongside the River Thames, closed in 2015

A disused hotel has become an "eyesore" over 10 years without progress on its redevelopment, campaigners have said.

The Upper Reaches Hotel, situated alongside the River Thames in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, closed in 2015.

The Friends of Abingdon group has urged Vale of White Horse District Council, which owns the freehold of the site to "take action to speed up a resolution".

The council said it was "still awaiting" firm proposals from the tenant Contemporary Hotels. The hotel company has been approached for comment.

The Friends of Abingdon group said progress at the site had been "glacial" since 2015.

It said repairs to the riverside wall and measures to prevent vandalism and anti-social behaviour had only been carried out after it had raised concerns with the council.

"The presence of such an eyesore at the entrance to the town makes it look unloved and gives a very bad signal not just to local people and visitors but also to businesses who might be considering setting up here," it said.

Gwyneth Lewis lives close to the hotel site

Resident Gwyneth Lewis who lives close to the site said: "We had massive problems with anti-social behaviour - the whole building was ransacked over eight years.

"This is a beautiful riverside setting, this blot on the landscape is only getting worse and worse.

"We are not against development - we just want something to happen."

The area occupied by the hotel buildings and its immediate surroundings is on a 125-year lease from 1969, currently held by Contemporary Hotels Ltd.

In a statement the council said it was "engaged" with the company and had encouraged it to provide updates on its plans.

"As landowner, we have not yet been made aware of any specific development plans but we are informed that a design team is appointed to prepare plans for discussion with the Local Planning Authority in advance of submitting a planning application by the end of 2025."

It said the hotelier had undertaken essential repair work to the river wall and bridge linking the site to Thames Street.