New owners start work on Ottery hotel

Urgent repairs to Salston Manor are finally taking place after the council threatened to step in and protect the former Ottery hotel.

Scaffolding went up at the weekend for builders to start remedial work on the roof and elsewhere to prevent further damage to the derelict property.

New owners recently took over the Salston from Jersey-based businessman Roger Young, whose controversial plans to build a care home at the site had stalled in the past two years.

In August shock new proposals were uncovered after the mystery developer announced its intention to revamp the once family-run business into a ‘community focused’ residential scheme with facilities for the town.

Since the hotel closed its doors in 2007 the listed premises had fallen into serious disrepair, prompting the town council to push for an ‘Urgent Works Notice’ to be placed on the building and prevent further damage.

The conservation officer at East Devon District Council confirmed earlier this month they had been in contact with the new owners, and had arranged a meeting to discuss protecting the building.

A nearby resident spoke to workers at th Salston at the weekend, and said a scaffolder told him extensive repair work would be carried out on the roof

Wilf Burley added he was told: “The Elizabethan style chimneys would be demolished and replaced as some of the chimneys now lean over at a dangerous angle.

“All windows will be replaced or repaired as necessary, and stonework on outside walls damaged by frost and weather will be repaired.”

Jirehouse Capital, the solicitors acting on behalf of the owners, said the new plan, which is still in the hands of architects, will focus on homes but will also feature recreational facilities like a swimming pool, spa and gym for all town residents to use.

A spokesman for Jirehouse said: “The key idea is to bring the property back into use within the community.”