'Barrier' standing in way of derelict hotel's demolition

COVENTRY City Council has revealed a 'barrier' which is standing in the way of calls for the speeding up of the demolition of a troubled derelict hotel in the city.

- By DANNY THOMPSON

Allesley Hotel was once a grand and historic landmark in the village on the edge of the city.

But since it closed it has become a magnet for antisocial behaviour, arson and vandalism - earlier this month it was set on fire for the second time in two weeks.

Though not the owners of the site, the council is conscious of the problems it is causing and says work is being done with other official bodies to try and combat the issue.

Plans for the site to be turned into homes, which would see the building knocked down, have been in the works for some time. The council has recently revealed the process may be requested to be expedited by fire service bosses, but some protected trees on the site might cause delays.