TAXPAYERS in Hart could be the new owner of a fire-damaged pub in North Warnborough if no-one comes forward to repair it.

The Cabinet at Hart District Council will look at a proposal to serve a repairs notice at The Swan Inn, in Hook Road.

If the owner does not come forward in two months to do the repairs, Hart will buy the pub using a compulsory purchase order.

The 19th century pub, a Grade II-listed building, suffered extensive damage to its roof and interior after an arson attack in September 2010.

Nobody has been brought to justice for the fire at the pub, which had been closed due to lack of custom at the time.

In April this year, the Cabinet at Hart District Council agreed to spend £58,000 on erecting scaffolding and weatherproof sheeting to protect it from the elements.

The action was taken after council officers found it difficult to track down the owners of the building.

The Wellington Pub Company owned the building at the time of the fire but has since claimed that it no longer owns it.

Daryl Phillips, head of planning services, has recommended to the planning committee that any compulsory purchase order would include a certificate of minimum compensation.

He wrote: “If the council is satisfied that the listed building has been deliberately allowed to fall into disrepair for the purpose of justifying its demolition and the redevelopment of the site, they may include in the compulsory purchase order a direction for minimum compensation.

“This means that the owner would only get compensation for the value of the building as repaired, not for any development value.”

The planning committee were due to look at the proposal last night before it goes to Cabinet.