THE demolition of the Station Hotel in Ayr can resume after a judge ruling.
The ruined building’s absentee owner, business tycoon Sunny Ung also known as Eng Haut Ung, had taken South Ayrshire Council to court over the demolition of the building.
The Malaysian businessman reportedly accused the council of demolishing the hotel without giving him proper notice following the devastating fire in September last year.
However, a judge ruled in favour of the council and the demolishment of the ruined building is set to continue.
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A statement released by the South Ayrshire Council said: “The Court of Session has agreed that the safety works can continue on site.
“We will continue to provide works progress updates.”
Train services through the station remain suspended, and most of the southern section, which suffered the worst damage in September's fire, has already been demolished.
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South Ayrshire Council said they decided to knock what remains of the building down, including the tower, due to safety concerns.
The local authority has been demolishing the building under Section 29 of the Dangerous Buildings (Scotland) Act, which gives the council powers to pull down a site in the interest of public safety.
Ung had bought the hotel in 2010 for £750,000.
In November it was reported the local authority's chief executive, Mike Newall, said the council had "made numerous attempts to contact him".
They also added that Ung "doesn't accept any correspondence" and hadn't been in touch with the council at all prior to the start of the demolition.
It was also reported in 2021 that Ung owed South Ayrshire Council £1.2 million for work carried out on the building.
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