OWNERS of a derelict building which has been subject to police warnings have been taken to court for the second time after failing to make improvements.

Park Developments Ltd, which owns Oswald House, on Rhydding Street in Oswaldtwistle, has been ordered to pay £1,845 in fines and costs.

The Bradford company was convicted in its absence at Blackburn Magistrates Court for failing to comply with a notice to carry out remedial work.

It was fined £1,250 and told to pay a £125 victim surcharge and £470 in costs. An accumulative daily fine of £315 was also imposed as a consequence of an ongoing non-compliance following its previous conviction.

The company, run by Kabir Hussain, was first convicted in October last year for not carrying out repairs on the dilapidated property.

Under section 79 of the Building Act 1985 it was required to carry out a range of works to bring the building into a good state of repair, including installing new windows, doors and roofing.

Cllr Clare Cleary, Hyndburn Council cabinet member for housing, said: “This is an ongoing offence and we will continue with as many prosecutions as required to make this company carry out the renovations.”

Cllr Peter Britcliffe, who represents the area, said: “I’m delighted to see action is being taken. Hopefully this will see something happening to it.”

In July, police said they received reports of children breaking into the property.

A spokesman for Oswaldtwistle Neighbourhood Policing Team previously said on Facebook: “The building is still dangerous and if people keep going in it’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.”

The late 19th century building has been used as a doctor’s surgery and offices but has been empty for many years and is currently on the market with a guide price of £75,000.