As we were going to press yesterday (Thursday), Pembrokeshire County Council were meeting to rubber stamp the demolition of one of Tenby's historic landmarks. Members of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority met earlier in the day and unanimously agreed to support the county council in knocking down the remaining structure of the disused Royal Gatehouse Hotel - gutted in an Easter Bank Holiday inferno - on the grounds of immediate danger to the public. At the extraordinary meeting, members considered several options regarding the future of the listed building, on the junction of White Lion Street and The Norton, but felt demolition was the only practical solution. The decision was made after a report by their chief executive Nic Wheeler and building conservation officer Rob Scourfield was considered. In the comprehensive report, it was remommended that, given the danger posed by the extremely fire- damaged remains of the listed mid-Victorian hotel, the authority had no objection to the county council demolishing the building under Section 78 of the 1984 Building Act (providing it was satisfied that the remaining structure presented an immediate danger to the public). The recommendation was subject to: • A full photographic recording of all elevations and details; • Retention of the rear ballroom wing with its panelling; • Careful salvage of the entrance veranda (columns and railings) to be stored in ballroom; • Careful salvage of external carved stonework/ ironwork where practicable; • Protection of any earlier cellars/basements and the underground remains of the medieval North Gate. Speaking after the meeting, Clr. Simon Hancock, chairman of the authority, said: "Authority officers have been heavily involved in reviewing the situation over recent weeks regarding the Royal Gatehouse Hotel and the authority is delighted to have reached its conclusion to support demolition. "There is obvious sadness, however, in the loss of such an important Grade II Listed Building which has been a part of the Tenby landscape for so long. "We are all extremely aware of the impact of the situation on the community and economy of Tenby and we hope that there will now be a swift resolution to the situation to enable life in Tenby to return to normal as soon as possible." Officers of Pembrokeshire County Council indicated they were due to meet yesterday afternoon to make a final decision, with the authority's head of highways and construction, Darren Thomas, stating earlier that if the go-ahead was given, at worst it would be a matter of four to five days before the demolition contractors moved in to take the building down.

What has been damaged

In the officers' report to the National Park meeting yesterday, it was stated that following the Easter Saturday blaze, the remaining structures were assessed and unsafe elements demolished, including Milford House and approximately one- third of the Royal Gatehouse Hotel. The sea-front hotel has lost its roof and attic rooms and second floor, and a large area of its north-east corner. The main stair has been lost as well as the rear staircase, and some floor joists have been burnt through. Many internal features including joinery, doors, cornices etc. have suffered heat, smoke and water damage. Several internal features have been previously removed due to internal improvements and fire regulations. Out of 40 rooms, only six remain unaffected by the fire.