EAST Cliff residents are fuming over the delayed demolition of a derelict, fire-damaged hotel.

The Cliff End Hotel in Manor Road, Bournemouth, has been empty since 2002 and was wrecked by a fire in 2012, becoming a blackspot for squatting, vandalism and fly-tipping.

In January its owner, the Gervis Meyrick Estate, submitted an application to knock down the building and replace it with a block of assisted living flats.

However the council says no date has been set for consideration of the application.

In a letter to the council, MP Tobias Ellwood and the Echo, the residents' committee of neighbouring Keverstone Court said: "The site is in a disgraceful condition and is an eyesore to local residents and visitors alike.

"In short is a blight on the area. One can only guess at why the building has not already been demolished.

"As you will know there is now the possibility of an end to the Cliff End Hotel saga in that plans have been submitted to the council by the current owners of the land.

"But still the end seems to be nowhere in sight as the matter plods its way through planning procedures."

In a separate letter to the council planning department, the committee said: "It has to be said that we (council tax payers/voters) have had plenty of sympathy from the council and expressions of regret from the owners of the land building, but minimal action from either."

Simon Gould, development management team leader at Bournemouth council's planning department, said: "Due to the current high volume of applications the timeframe for processing enquiries has lengthened.

"This application is in the system and will be considered in due course."

The borough declined to comment any further on the site or the scheme.

Meyrick Estate also declined to comment on the state of the site, and said it does not expect the application to be heard before September.

In a letter to residents at Keverstone Court, the firm said: "The estate is very mindful of the impact of the site on local residents and as such we have applied for a phased planning permission which would allow us to demolish existing building as soon as possible after the grant of planning.

"Unfortunately until such time as the planning application has been approved we are not permitted to demolish the building and clear the site."