A Norfolk council is considering using legal powers to force the demolition of a fire-ravaged historic pub that has become the centre of a scaffolding controversy.
For the last two years, the Haven Bridge pub in Great Yarmouth has been held up with scaffolding after it was destroyed in a late-night fire that ripped through the building.
Surveyors have said this cannot be removed as this would mean a vital road leading into the town would have to close due to the risk of it collapsing.
After failed attempts to urge the owner and leaseholder to take action, Great Yarmouth Borough Council may now spend £120,000 to force a resolution - with the demolition of the 19th century pub its favoured option.
The authority has already issued a Section 79 notice to the freeholder at the start of this month, which will require the renovation or demolition of the dilapidated building within six months.
If this is not complied with, GYBC will take action.
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Officers have estimated making the building safe would cost £550,000 while demotion would only likely run up to £100,000.
Selling the site after the pub has turned to rubble could fetch up to £75,000, meaning the council will likely lose money through the transaction.
Haven Bridge has become a huge point of controversy in the town since it was left a ruin following a fire in March 2022.
GYBC says it regularly receives complaints about the state of the building, which sits next to one of the main entry points into the town.
Businesses near the site have faced a drop in trade due to the closure of the adjacent Steam Mill Lane.
READ MORE: Warning pub may collapse two years after blaze
Following the blaze, local firm KB Scaffolding was brought in to make the building safe.
However, owner Michael Black is yet to receive a penny for their work and has estimated the bill has reached more than £400,000.
The company is now threatening legal action against the council to recover these costs.
But the authority disputes being responsible, believing the cost of the scaffolding instead should fall on the leaseholder or freeholder.
The matter will be discussed at a scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday, June 25.
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