COUNCILLORS are pushing ahead with the takeover of a Cotswold pub after the owner let it fall into disrepair.

West Oxfordshire District Council voted to serve a repairs notice to the owner of the Unicorn in Great Rollright.

If the owner fails to carry out the repairs, the council could serve a compulsory purchase order.

The 18th Century, grade II listed pub has been left vacant since 1989 and is deemed "structurally unsound", posing a threat to passing members of the public.

Owner Alex Prindiville has rejected offers to buy the pub and has applied for permission to convert the site into housing.

He now says he will fight the CPO.

West Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for resources Toby Morris said: "Now we can start the process where by if he won't carry out the necessary works, we could potentially purchase the building.

"We can carry out the works and sell it on, or we can find someone who can carry out the works and they can buy it."

Sue Glasson, Rollright Parish Council clerk, said: "It's good news, it's stayed empty for more than 20 years. We would be delighted to have a pub again.

"I don't think this will prod the owner into action though. The repairs notices which have been issued before have been ignored.

"But maybe now there could be a compulsory purchase order, the owner will pay some attention to it."

Councillors also voted to pursue the £35,854 owed by the owner to the council, for "urgent works" carried out on the building.

Additional work such as a property valuation will now be carried out by officers and the cabinet member for strategic planning and economy, Warwick Robinson.

The building is missing a number of floors and renovation costs are estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Pub owner Alex Prindiville has gained control of the building from his father Maurice, who is suffering ill-health.

Maureen Shahaf, a compliance and regulations freelance consultant for Mr Prindiville, said: "Alex's father Maurice allowed the building to fall into disrepair.

"He left it vacant because it is only permitted use as a pub.

"Drinking habits have changed and this pub is unviable, a change of use would bring the Grade II listed building back into use."

Ms Shahaf said Mr Prindiville plans to pay back the debt owed to the council and will oppose the proposed compulsory purchase order, according to Ms Shahaf.

She added Mr Prindiville has not seen the repairs notice despite communicating with the West Oxfordshire District Council for the last five years.

Mr Prindiville wants to convert the building into a residence for his family, according to Ms Shahaf.