On Thursday, the three unitary councillors for Ludlow met with Andy Wigley, Policy and Environment Service Manager, and Andy Jones, Team Manager Building Control, to discuss the derelict former Costa Coffee on King Street. The outcome was some immediate work to ensure the building is safe and an agreement to ensure an application for work on the building is submitted within two months. If that doesn’t happen, I will press hard for a Section 215 notice which would force the owner to undertake renovations.
The former Costa Coffee on King Street has been an eyesore since the premises closed in May 2023. Since then, the condition of the property has deteriorated rapidly. There is a slate missing on the roof, rendering is flaking off and panes of glass have fallen from the windows onto the busy pavement below.
Scaffolding has been put up on part of the building but it doesn’t make it look any better. The scaffolding was illegally blocking the pavement forcing pedestrians and people on mobility scooters and parents with pushchairs into a busy road. At my request, some of the poles have been removed to make passage easier. I have also asked for signs to direct pedestrians away from the road.
Panes of glass have fallen from a first floor window onto the pavement fortunately missing pedestrians. The owner’s contractors have removed other loose panes. They have also boarded up on the inside of the window. That’s useless. The putty is breaking up on the outside. With this cold and wet winter, there is a danger of further panes of glass and loose bricks falling out. The window is a danger to pedestrians.
Shropshire Council will board the window up properly in the coming days. The bill for the work will be sent to the owner.
The windows at the back of the property are also in a terrible state.
We have been waiting two years for an application to bring this building back into use. Every time I ask about progress, I am told an application for listed building consent is due shortly. I have been told this several times since January 2024. It never happens.
We agreed that the owner, SEP Properties, should be given two months to get an application in to the council, otherwise we issue a Section 215 notice ordering that the building is made good. Under Town and Country Planning Act 1990, a local planning authority can serve a Section 215 notice where the condition of land or buildings is adversely affecting the amenity of the area. The state of 4-5 King Street certainly meets the definition of adversely affecting the amenity of the area.
I’d prefer to start the S215 process now but officers believe that they would have a weak case while an application is being prepared. If an application for listed building consent, and for planning consent if needed, has not been lodged by Easter, I will go to the council’s cabinet to get the S215 process underway.
Last summer, Ludlow had a lot of empty shops and four closed pubs. In a matter of months, the town centre has bounced back. We are looking forward to a booming summer. Unfortunately, nearly everyone coming into the town centre must pass the Carbuncle of King Street. It makes the town look derelict when it is anything but.
SEP Properties needs to step up to the mark, submit applications for consent and get on with bringing the building back into use.
