The firm planning the redevelopment of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital has been ordered to start work on it.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning enforcement officers are cracking down on developer Taylor Wimpey to improve the condition and appearance of the site of the former Royal Alex and the surrounding land in Dyke Road, Brighton.

A Section 215 amenity notice has been served forcing the firm to carry out repair work to the Victorian building, including removing the boarding from windows and doors and replacing broken windows as well as repainting external woodwork and clearing up the gardens.

The building has been empty since the children’s hospital moved to the Royal Sussex County Hospital site in 2007. Planning permission to develop the site was granted earlier this year.

The amenity notice gives Taylor Wimpey 12 months to comply.