NEARLY four years after plans were approved to redevelop the Highbridge Hotel the site's owners have announced that works are finally set to start to repair the building.

YMCA Somerset Coast, who have owned the site since 2014, submitted a planning application to Sedgemoor District Council to demolish the remaining elements of the building so works can start to create 22 affordable homes and a community hub later this year.

The Highbridge Hotel has remained derelict since 2008 after a huge fire ripped through the building leaving only the Grade II facade and a bare shell of the building in tact.

Ben Richards from YMCA Somerset Coast said the charity wants the new building to be an 'impressive gateway to Highbridge once again'.

"Over the past 8 months the YMCA has been working closely with partners to identify a route forward which allows the redevelopment of the site to process" he said.

"As is well documented, the hotel itself suffered a catastrophic fire which left only the Grade II façade and a bare shell which was supported by scaffolding.

"Having removed the scaffold and replaced it with new, it became very clear that the shell of the building was too unsafe to remain and presented a significant risk of collapse, thus preventing any further investigation into the structure.

"With advice from Sedgemoor District Council, the rear elevation and the front first floor elevations were dismantled by hand, with the bricks conserved, cleaned and stored on site.

"This then allowed a further investigation into the foundations of the building and the methods of construction in the remaining façade.

"These investigations, uncovered little or no footings in parts, and that the building itself had been constructed in three parts, with again little evidence of the structural stability of these parts."

Representatives from YMCA Somerset met with Historic England at the end of last year to discuss solutions to save the building and found that the costs of repairing the front structure of the building would 'present challenges' to the rebuild process.

As a result the charity submitted a planning application in May to demolish the remaining element and say they have a 'firm commitment' to rebuild the facade in the style of a hotel.

Mr Richards added: "The delays have caused considerable costs to the YMCA, and frustration to our partners, however we feel that we are approaching this in the correct manner, and look forward to seeing this once great building emerging from the site in the latter part of this year.

"Further to the application, we are about to commence on a competitive tendering exercise for the build and would hope to be in a position to award the contract in September, with activity commencing on the site shortly after and a completion date in December 2018.

Georgina Jones, Sedgemoor director of YMCA Somerset Coast said the YMCA team are excited to work more in the Highbridge community to make the new hotel 'an excellent resource' for residents.

"It has taken a long time to get to this point, however it is important that we approach the project in detail and with sensitivity.

"The team and I are excited and very much looking forward to working further in the community of Highbridge.  

"We are sure the hotel will be an excellent resource for everybody."