RESIDENTS fighting the planned demolition of a community centre have a glimmer of hope.

People in Peterlee banded together and staged a demonstration when proposals were discovered to knock down the White House, which has been empty for a few years.

In the wake of the protest Durham County Council has put the demolition on hold and will review its decision.

This could give time for a community group to establish itself and draw up proposals to take over the running of the building.

The White House has stood in Eden Lane, since 1890. The property, which was owned by wealthy merchant banker Rowland Burdon, has been used by various community groups over the years.

As part of Durham County Council’s ongoing review of buildings that are no longer in use, it was decided that the White House would be demolished.

This decision was taken due to the building being empty for a number of years and its condition having seriously deteriorated following vandalism and thefts of interior fittings such as pipework.

With little prospect of the building being used, and the council having to pay for its ongoing maintenance, it was decided that demolition was the only realistic option.

However, following a meeting with local councillors, the decision will be reviewed in response to concerns expressed by some the community and local groups expressing an interest in taking over the building.

Stuart Timmiss, the council’s head of planning and assets, said: “Following a series of meetings with elected members in the area we have agreed to explore the opportunity of a local community group, which has expressed an interest, taking over the building.

“We need to ensure that the building has a sustainable future going forward and that the full costs of retaining this building are understood by any interested parties.

“ If the group can demonstrate that they have the necessary funding in place and that the building has a long term future the council will reconsider the decision.”

Campaigners say there was no consultation about the planned demolition, which they only learned about through the council’s own website.

The council, which declared the building surplus to its requirements in 2010, says it always planned to let the community know what was going to happen to it.

A petition against the demolition has attracted more than 500 signatures.