A PROPOSAL to demolish a landmark hotel has stalled after a council told the owners they could not pull it down without formal approval.

The owners of The Eden Arms Hotel at Rushyford, in County Durham, wanted to start clearing the site at the end of this month after an application for listed status was declined.

But Galaxy Limited’s proposed November 29 start date will have to be scrapped after Durham County Council determined they would need prior approval before pulling down the building – a process which could take eight weeks from submittal.

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The company bought the property as a development opportunity after its previous owners went into administration in 2020, and no buyer could be found to operate it as hotel.

Last month Galaxy contacted the local planning authority for a determination on whether prior approval was needed before razing it.

Council officers have now confirmed it must secure prior approval for demolition and asked them to submit an application with an ecological report and details of the work such as operating hours and how noise and the impact on residents would be minimised.

The Northern Echo: The Eden Arms at Rushyford, County Durham Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Read more: Eden Arms at Rushyford in County Durham faces demolition

The council would then have eight weeks to determine whether the proposed demolition works would have an adverse impact upon neighbouring amenities, highways, protected species and trees and should be allowed.

Many residents and community leaders have voiced concerns about the loss of the historic building, part of which was once a 17th century coaching inn called The Wheatsheaf.

But the applicant told The Northern Echo that Historic England had turned down an application to give it listed status before it sought to pull it down.

Fears were also raised at residents’ meetings that the demolition itself would be unsafe as the site has the busy A689 roundabout on one side and housing and a narrow road on the other.

Alan Moralee, from Galaxy Ltd, said: "It is entirely reasonable and normal that Durham County Council should request the information below in order to inform their decision on demolition.

"1. Proposed site operating times; 2. Details of a noise/residential management plan inc. complaints procedure; 3. Asbestos Survey; 4. Preliminary Ecological Appraisal; 5. Arboricultural Impact Assessment; 6. Tree Protection Plan; 7. Traffic Management Plan; and 8. Site restoration details including ground treatment and site security details."

 

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