A once-thriving Kinross-shire landmark at the centre of a bitter planning row has been declared dangerous.
Engineers noted worrying signs of movement and cracking at the Glenfarg Hotel, which was abandoned five years ago.
A Dangerous Building Order, urging urgent repairs, is now being served on owner John Hewitt.
Mr Hewitt controversially shut the venue in 2016, claiming he was the target of a hate campaign.
He has since made efforts to sell the building and convert it into flats.
Former owner Steve Whiting, who ran the hotel for two periods between 1989 and 2002, is worried about its future.W
“There is a lot of anger in the village,” he said. “The hotel was the centrepiece of the village, but it was ever more than that. It was the life and soul of the community.
“It’s very disheartening to see what has happened, and how it has been allowed to happen. It’s like our worst fears are being compounded and five years on we are no further forward.
“When the hotel was sold it really ripped the heart out of the village.”
The hotel was primed for auction earlier this year, but was withdrawn shortly before the sale took place.
Mr Whiting said: “Sadly, this dangerous building order is going to be a disincentive for any developer looking to purchase it.
“It looks like these repairs will require a substantial amount of money.”
He added: “We would definitely want to see this building reopened as a hotel. But as the years have gone by, we understand that that train may have already left the station.”
Local Lib Dem councillor Willie Robertson said: “The closure of the Glenfarg Hotel is still a raw wound in the village.
“The building has been left to the ravages of the weather and is deteriorating rapidly.”
Mr Robertson said he understood the council is having difficulty serving the Dangerous Building Notice on Mr Hewitt, who is believed to stay in the Isle of Man.
“It is so sad to see this once-fine building, which was so much at the heart of the community, being allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair,” he said.
Mr Hewitt did not respond to requests for an interview.
A Perth and Kinross Council spokeswoman said: “The building standards team has carried out an inspection of the Glenfarg Hotel. Some movement and structural cracking has been identified in an area of the external wall to the rear of the building.
“A Dangerous Building Notice is being served on the owner, requiring the building to be made safe. The affected area is already fenced off and warning signs are in place to deter unauthorised access.”
She added: “The council will not be taking any further action at this time. Localised demolition is not a feasible option as it would be detrimental to the remainder of the building.”
