The island’s biggest local authority is due back in court later this month as it continues efforts to improve Douglas.

Its focus is on the Pitcairn and the Wyndham hotels on Church Road Marina, Douglas, two buildings that are falling into disrepair.

Douglas Council is pursuing an order through the court under the Building Control Act to allow it to undertake detailed assessments and further remedial works - and to have the properties correctly registered to the new owners.

Since the two hotels closed at the beginning of the decade, the buildings have been left to go to ruin and have become an eyesore in the surrounding area.

As seen in our picture, the shared roof has slates missing, windows are either open or broken and there is foliage growing out of the buildings’ upper storeys.

As a result, Douglas Council has attempted to issue an s24 notice on the buildings to force the owners to carry out repairs.

However, this has proved far easier said than done.

In 2013, the previous owners sold the business to an off-island investment company before the previous owner’s company dissolved.

But the new owners failed to register ownership at the land registry that would have detailed transfer of title.

The new owners are an offshore shell company based outside of the EU.

As a result the council could not issue an s24, as under the regulations, notices can only be issued to owners, not buildings.

An environmental services committee agenda from Douglas Council in 2016 states the Pitcairn Hotel and the Wyndham are owned by the same British Virgin Islands-registered company.

However, since 2017, the council has been pursuing the owners to register ownership and address the condition of the buildings.

This has largely been conducted through third party asset managers.

Since then, the council gained access to the buildings and carried out external studies to assess the on-going state of the properties.

As a result, remedial work was done to ensure the safety of the properties.

Earlier this year council contractors removed tiles from the buildings damaged during the winter storms after the owners failed to do so in time.

Currently, the two properties are available for sale as a package with Chrystals estate agents for offers in excess of £150,000.

Chrystals describe them as ’a pair of substantial period guesthouses in need of significant structural repair located in a prime commercial area’.

It adds: ’Prospective purchasers should note the property is subject to ongoing enforcement action from Douglas Council and a purchaser will be expected to take over any ongoing and future liability that results from the same.’ The new court hearing is scheduled for May 24.