Council explores further action over fire-damaged premises

Bridgend County Borough Council is looking into the next steps to address a fire-damaged building in Bridgend town centre.

The vacant three-storey commercial property on Nolton Street was damaged in a fire in April 2020.

Known locally as ‘The Ranch’, the building, which is privately-owned and not maintained by the council, was inspected after the blaze by local authority structural engineers and made safe by removing loose roofing tiles, damaged guttering and other debris that could have potentially fallen to the street below.

Prior to the fire, the owner was served with a Section 215 maintenance notice by the council with a requirement to improve the condition of the building within a certain timeframe. The owner was also made aware of potential grant funding available from the local authority to help refurbish the building.

With improvements not having been carried out and the building continuing to deteriorate, the local authority is now considering further legal action to return this historical building to its former glory.

We are aware of the building on Nolton Street and are working closely with our legal team as we look to take the next steps on addressing the issue.

Bridgend County Borough Council is committed to tackling derelict properties across the county borough which are becoming derelict eyesores.

Councillor Stuart Baldwin, Cabinet Member for Communities