Urgent safety works on fire-damaged Sherwood Hotel in Torquay
Demolition crews to address building dangers
Efforts are underway to manage the risks posed by the Sherwood Hotel in Torquay following extensive fire damage over the Easter Bank Holiday.
The devastation of the building on Belgrave Road has necessitated immediate action to secure public safety due to the dangerous state of its structure.
Torbay Council has appointed Gilpin Demolition to undertake urgent safety measures, which include bringing parts of the building down to the first-floor level to eliminate immediate hazards.
The demolition team's setup is scheduled to commence on 24th April, with the actual work expected to start early next week and last approximately three weeks.
As a result, Belgrave Road might face temporary closures to allow for machinery manoeuvring, though partial access has been maintained for essential services and nearby facilities.
The Sherwood Hotel, located within the Belgravia Conservation Area, is considered an important part of the townscape.
While the immediate focus is on safeguarding public safety, further preservation efforts for the site will be made according to planning and heritage protocols once the structure is stabilised.
Cllr Adam Billings emphasised the necessity of these actions, stating: “The fire at the Sherwood Hotel has left the building in an extremely dangerous condition, and our priority must be to protect the public. Despite repeated attempts to engage with the owners, no apparent action was taken to make the structure safe. That is why council officers have used their powers under the Building Act 1984 to intervene and ensure urgent safety works can begin. This is an unusual measure for officers to take, but it is one that is absolutely necessary given the serious risks involved.”
Residents are urged to report damage or unauthorised entry to police instead of visiting unsafe sites. Tampering with road closure signage set for safety purposes is discouraged, although access for accommodation providers and deliveries will continue.