Work to 'begin soon' on vandalised care home
BBCWork on a care home which has become an "eyesore" in a town is to begin, developers say, after being bought four years ago.
The property on North Street in Ferryhill town centre has been vandalised, with smashed windows and graffiti.
It was sold by Durham County Council to a developer, Care Co Plus Ltd, in 2021.
Gerry McKenna, director of the company, said there had been delays to work due to anti-social behaviour and legal issues, but they had been recently resolved.
"We purchased the building with a clear intention of opening a children's care facility with additional services for teenagers and teenage parents," he said.
"It soon became apparent that the local police department was not in support of our business model due to the level of local anti-social behaviour exhibited in the town, and felt that service users would be vulnerable."
Durham Police has been approached for comment.
Mr McKenna emphasised his commitment to the project and said the company would be "investing a considerable amount of capital".
"We are now looking forward to proceeding with the site works and are currently engaging with our team to get the building ready for occupancy," he said.
Labour MP for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor Alan Strickland said the building was in a "totally unacceptable" state and had become a "magnet for crime".
He said: "When it was sold on by the council 2021, the community expected progress - not years of dereliction and decay.
"The building is an eyesore and a magnet for crime.
"It's time for the council to pull its finger out and present a clear and urgent plan for the site's future."
Anna Wills, interim head of corporate estates and strategic programme for Durham County Council, said: "Despite agreeing a timescale for works, the development proposals have not progressed as expected and following a recent fire at the property, we have taken steps to secure the site via relevant enforcement powers.
"Our officers will continue to press the developers for progress."
Police and council wardens were carrying out patrols to deal with any anti-social behaviour, she added.