"Time hasn't run out" for Ayr's Station Hotel but clock is ticking as demolition given go ahead

dailyrecord.co.uk:

“Time hasn’t run out, but is fast running out” for Ayr’s Station Hotel as South Ayrshire Council set the clock ticking on its demolition.Councillors agreed unanimously to demolish the southern section of the dilapidated building in the event that the owner does not step in to make it safe.Having failed to progress talks with the owner over the last four years, that is expected to be unlikely.Despite the decision, the building will not be demolished in the immediate future.It is expected to take around 18 months to come to an agreement over the details of any demolition.In the meantime the owner will be served with a legal notice demanding repairs be carried out.Council Leader Martin Dowey told the meeting of council on Thursday: “Time hasn’t run out yet, but it is fast running out.“If you have a plan and have the money please come forward.

If you have a serious plan.“If not the council will be forced to do our statutory duty. Not end of the road yet, but time is running out for any group that wishes to come forward with credible plans.“This is not a decision that this council will take lightly.

We have got to think of the public purse.”Labour group leader Brian McGinley welcomed the report, taking the opportunity to call for Network Rail, as part owners of the site, to ‘step up’.He said: “Having been involved in this I would be looking for Network Rail to stand up and be much more open and progressive about their part in the resolution of the issue.“They are part owners.

Any demolition would affect the railway and their ability to work in that area, so I’m looking for them to come up front and centre and work with local community to make a sustainable facility out of this.”A number of councillors pointed out that there