Heritage groups in last-ditch bid to halt hotel's demolition

AN eleventh-hour campaign has been launched to halt the demolition of a seaside hotel whose guests once included John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Campaigners have cast doubts on a Cyngor Gwynedd decision to bulldoze the Grade-II listed Corbett Arms Hotel in Tywyn.

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE Countryside and Tourism Editor [e-mail]

A specialist conservation engineer who assessed the 200-year-old building, concluded that much of the building is not at risk of imminent collapse - but it will be as soon as demolition starts. Heritage groups understand that wrecking crews could start work today.

Jon Avent, director at Mann Williams civil and structural engineers, said the council has yet to secure listed building demolition consent and claimed it risks sanctions without it. Any retrospective application will be challenged in light of his findings, he said.

Cyngor Gwynedd said it is applying for listed building consent, but said the condition of the building has deteriorated to the point where immediate action is required. They said urgent demolition works and associated emergency safety measures will need to take place at the rear of the building.

Conservation group SAVE Britain's Heritage (SAVE) is urging its supporters to lobby Cyngor Gwynedd for a stay of execution. SAVE director Henrietta Billings said: "We call on the council to urgently re-think their wrecking ball approach. We appeal to them to work with local businesses to find a new future for this hotel rather than waste it. It could once again be an economic driver for the town, providing local jobs and accommodation for visitors and tourism."

Having taken its own specialist advice, the council said it was left with 'no option' but to carry out emergency demolition to protect public safety. The move stems from the collapse of two sections at the rear of the building earlier this year. The hotel was originally built in 1833 and later modified by industrialist John Corbett. In recent years it has fallen into disrepair.

In an attempt to safeguard the building, Cyngor Gwynedd has issued eight 'Dangerous buildings' notices and three 'Ruinous and dilapidated buildings' notices in recent years. It said it was the owner's responsibility to ensure the hotel is maintained to necessary standards.