A local authority is promising to start urgent work on a “monstrous” hotel, which its owner says is the latest twist in a “toxic dispute” between the parties.

Roger Brock, owner of the Royal Victoria Hotel in Newport, Shropshire, has been embroiled in a battle with Telford and Wrekin Council over the fate of the building.

Council bosses said the Grade II listed structure on St Mary’s Street had been allowed to fall into disrepair and the work it would undertake was necessary after requests for action were not heeded.

But Brock insisted the council had made unfair demands and he would raise the matter with the government.

Brock previously told the BBC that delays in developing the site had been due to planning issues and asbestos, before the Covid pandemic worsened the situation.

He has expressed his desire to see the scaffolding-covered building demolished after a report highlighted structural damage which he said had left him “no other option”.

But the city council flatly rejected the proposal, saying it would not allow the hotel to be torn down.

Fed up residents have branded the hotel an eyesore.

On Friday, the local authority announced urgent work would be carried out next week after several unsuccessful repair notices were issued.

The council also said it wanted to buy back the building, having previously carried out other maintenance work.

“With no action or works carried out by the owners, Telford and Wrekin Council have instructed contractors to carry out vital repairs,” a statement from the council reads.

“It is estimated that the works will take around 13 weeks to complete and the council will seek to recover all costs from the owner.”

In a statement to the BBC, Brock said council bosses had “knowingly thwarted my efforts to implement the planning consent for 12 flats which the council approved in 2018”.

He said he would write to the Government asking it to intervene or order an investigation.

“I have also written to the Secretary of State complaining about the treatment my company has had to endure,” he said.

“(The) council’s planning department (is) immune to any criticism.”