Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore has welcomed a successful prosecution of the owners of the former Linden Hotel by South Gloucestershire Council for failing to properly maintain the property’s exterior.

The owner who lives in Shirehampton has been fined more than £14,000 and ordered to pay £667 in costs after failing to comply with Council demands and allowing the poor appearance of the building to negatively impact the appearance of the local area.

This was the second offence for the owners who were previously fined £1,000 last year.

Welcoming the successful prosecution, Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore said: “I am delighted that South Gloucestershire Council have been successful with securing this prosecution and fine. Local residents deserve to be proud of where they live and those in our community who actively avoid their responsibilities and are complicit in bringing down the area around them should be held accountable.

“I am proud to be working with the Council and Government Ministers to improve our area where possible, as well as Mayor Tim Bowles and the West of England Combined Authority on our ambitious vision for improving the look and feel of Kingswood High Street, and will continue to campaign as further steps forward are made.”