DERELICT pubs in Evesham have been branded eyesores by councillors in the town, who have made an appeal for them to be tidied up.

The call for action to be taken at the three empty and unused pubs in Evesham came at a meeting of the town council.

It was sparked by Cllr Mark Goodge who is unhappy about the condition of the Vauxhall Inn, in Abbey Road, Merstow Green.

The pub currently has planning permission secured by developers MJ International Management in September last year to alter the building into takeaway outlets along with a drive-through and car parking. As yet no progress appears to have been made at the site.

But the argument continued and Park View hotel in Waterside and the Crown Inn, also Waterside, were also mentioned as requiring attention.

Bal Padda, whose family owns the Park View, said they didn't have enough funds to develop the site into four Victorian style homes, which they have planning permission to do.

"The priority is to create jobs in our growing business," said Mr Padda. "It's finances at the moment, you need £500,000 to do it up. We hope to get the project moving this year."

At the meeting Cllr Goodge said: "The place is frankly a mess. I want to look at asking the town council to write to Wychavon District Council to ask them to get the place tidied up."

This was supported by Cllr Alan Booth, who said: "We seem to be getting lots of derelict building in the town and nothing in done about it. For the last two years the Crown Inn, that's an absolute disgrace, and the Park View is back on the market."

The move by Cllr Goodge was backed but many councillors, who said the sites were also very prominent, but they felt letters should be written to the owners of the sites, not the district council.

Cllr Booth added: "The Crown is right on the entrance to the town, it's the first thing they look at crikey what a site."

But Cllr Goodge said he wanted something done. "I think we need to be seen to be caring," he said.

Despite the decision to write to the landlords and Wychavon there was a warning that it's only the owners that can really progress plans.

Phil Merrick, head of community services at Wychavon, said: "We are aware a number of key buildings in the town centre are vacant and in poor physical condition.

"Given the high level of residential and commercial growth currently being experienced and planned in Evesham, such as the planned Waitrose supermarket, there really is very little reason why this situation should continue into the future.

"We maintain contact with the property owners and are working with them to bring forward investment plans but it is unfortunately a slow process."

The Journal was unable to contact the owners of the Vauxhall Inn and the Crown Inn.