Owners of a Sheringham seafront eyesore have been taken to court by the council.

Eastern Daily Press: Former Shannocks Hotel, SheringhamFormer Shannocks Hotel, Sheringham (Image: Archant)

Huddies Limited owns the former Shannocks Hotel at the seawall end of the High Street.

Director Andrew Roper pleaded guilty on behalf of the company to failing to comply with a notice to improve the run down building.

The company was fined £900 by Norwich Magistrates, ordered to pay North Norfolk District Council's prosecution costs of £2,700 with a victim surcharge of £90.

The council had served a Town and Country Planning Act Section 215 notice on Huddies in March 2014 with a deadline to improve the building's condition by the October 7.

The council says that after visits to the property in October and January the building's condition had not significantly improved.

It added that the action was taken because the building was in a conservation area in a popular tourist town.

Council cabinet member Judy Oliver said: 'The council had concerns that the building was in an unsightly condition and a blight on the area.

'Taking legal action is always a last resort but we will not hesitate to do so in the interests of the community.'

Section 215 authorises the council to serve a notice on the property owners where the condition adversely affects the amenity or the area. The notice requires steps to be taken to remedy the condition. Failure to comply is an offence and the Shannocks case was taken to court by the council's enforcement board, set up to tackle this type of problem.

A spokesman added: 'The council will now be looking to see what other options can now be taken to resolve the issue following the successful prosecution.'