'Eyesore' church's owner fined for lack of repairs

A Grade II listed church set in the heart of a conservation area has fallen into such a state of disrepair that it has been labelled "an eyesore" for the whole area.

The owner of St Aidan's Church in Blackhill, near Consett, County Durham, has been fined for failing to carry out essential repairs on the building.

Magistrates in Peterlee heard how the local landmark is no longer wind or watertight and has a negative impact on the surrounding area.

Site owner Purvis Construction NE Ltd did not send a representative to Wednesday's court hearing and was issued with a £10,000 fine.

The company, which is based in New Silksworth, Sunderland, failed to comply with a notice served by the council in November 2023.

Durham County Council said the firm, which has owned the church since 2017, did not respond to attempts to discuss the matter, including a letter sent in June explaining that the council was taking the matter to court.

The council's notice required the company to carry out repairs to the building's roof.

It also required gutters, downpipes, troughs and pipes be cleared and repaired, missing or defective window security screenings be replaced and overgrown trees or shrubs on the property's boundary to be cut back.

Stephen Reed, the council's planning manager, said: "St Aidan's Church is no longer in use but remains a listed building and prominent landmark within a conservation area.

"The fact it's been allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair not only poses a risk of further damage to the inside of the building but has resulted in it becoming an eyesore detracting from the vibrancy of the local area."

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