THE FORMER owner of one of Bridgwater's iconic buildings has been successfully prosecuted for letting it fall into disrepair.

After a long battle Sedgemoor District Council has managed to successfully prosecute the former owner of the semi-derelict '1-5 Classic Buildings' at Penel Orlieu, as a result of the condition of the building.

Following various failed attempts to secure a voluntary improvement in the condition of the building, the council last year used statutory powers to serve a notice on the then-owner requiring them to undertake specified remedial steps to improve the condition of the land within six months.

These steps included replacing all the boarded up windows and doors appropriate to the character of the building; repairing the canopy and roof to make it sound and weatherproof, replacing gutters and downpipes; and the removal and replacement of perished render as well as a total repaint.

The owner was given six months to comply with the steps specified in the notice but failed to do so.

On Monday, April 24, the Council successfully secured a conviction in the Taunton Magistrates Court for failure to take the steps required by the notice.

The former owner was fined and ordered to pay a victim surcharge as well as a contribution towards the council’s costs of bringing the prosecution.

The council remains in discussions with the current owner to secure an improvement in the condition of the building.

According the Bridgwater and District Civic Society, Penel Orlieu is an historic part of Bridgwater - home to a late medieval cattle market extending from the West Gate to High Street.

The road therefore has an amazing 800 year provenance as an important entrance into the old Borough of Bridgwater and, as the convergence of two ancient streets Pynel (now Market) and Orlove (now Clare) originally named after early Bridgwater residents.