AN URGENT structural survey has been commissioned for a dilapidated former hotel.

Wychavon District Council will carry out the survey this week after debris fell from the former Raven Hotel in Droitwich.

Chief executive of Wychavon District Council, Vic Allison, said: "An officer from our building control team has completed their initial assessment of the building.

"Based on what they can see, we do not believe there is any imminent risk of the building, or a significant part of it, collapsing.

"This recent incident was likely caused by an extreme weather event, which added extra stress to already fragile parts of the building and caused the guttering and other debris to fall.

"However, public safety is our top priority, so we are taking no chances. We have commissioned an urgent structural survey of the Raven by independent specialists, which will be completed this week.

"It will examine all areas of the building, including parts not easily visible or that we haven’t been able to access for safety reasons.

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"The findings of this survey will inform our next steps which may include formal legal action to require the owner to carry out any work needed to secure the building.

"We have had positive discussions with the owner who has indicated they will carry out whatever work is required.

"The pavement and one side of the carriageway outside the Raven will remain closed as a precaution, and we urge the public to stay away from the building for their safety.

"The Raven is an important part of not just Droitwich Spa’s heritage but Wychavon’s story as well, being the place where our first constitution was agreed before our foundation in 1974.

"But the best option at the moment is to continue to press the current owner to move forward as fast as possible with the redevelopment plan they have planning permission for.

"That’s what we have been doing, and we’ll continue to do. We will be actively monitoring the situation."

The statement comes after councillors voiced great concern for the building's safety and called for the building's owners, Inroka, to make progress on their approved plans.