Protect hotel or face legal action, council warns

Parts of the Grade II listed former Raven Hotel on St Andrew's Street date back to the 16th Century

The owner of a historic former hotel has been warned to take urgent steps to protect the building or face legal action.

Wychavon District Council has given the owner of the Raven Hotel in Droitwich Spa seven days to confirm when work will be carried out.

The Grade II-listed building closed as a hotel more than a decade ago and has planning permission for new homes, a brine bath and a gin bar.

"We have all been extremely annoyed and frustrated by how long this development has taken," said councillor Richard Morris.

The council wants to see damage to the roof repaired and security fencing installed.

It follows public concern over vandalism at the site, with thieves removing roof tiles and exposing the building to the elements.

The council said police had also contacted the owner about preventing trespass and antisocial behaviour at the site.

In response, the district council said it was told by the owner CCTV cameras and an alarm system were being installed.

But Mr Morris said this did not go far enough.

"Unfortunately, assurances we have been given to date have not been backed up by action, so we have had to take this next step," he said.

"I hope now we will see a positive response from the owner and the right protection measures put in place to prevent further damage and the necessary repairs carried out as a matter of urgency."

The former hotel has fallen into disrepair and attracted vandals and recent break-ins

Outline permission was agreed in 2022 to allow the partial demolition, refurbishment and conversion of the building.

Mr Morris added the granting of full planning permission was a significant step forward that would allow the owner to start planning for work to start "in earnest".

He added the "earliest possible start date" would "secure the future of this iconic building, which means so much to the people of Droitwich Spa".