Residents have rallied to call on the local authorities to protect an “eyesore” former County Durham pub from vandalism and disrepair. 

The former Station Hotel in South Hetton has been branded a “dilapidated, dangerous disgrace” by concerned locals. 

A petition has been launched which asks Durham County Council to ensure a compulsory purchase order is completed or take greater enforcement action to repurpose or demolish the former pub. 

Gillian Rodgers, chair of South Hetton Parish Council, warned the site is a danger to residents.

She said: “It’s dreadful. Children were on the roof last week and our major concern is that it will take for someone to get seriously hurt before something is done about it.”

The former Station Hotel in South Hetton has been branded a “dilapidated, dangerous disgrace” by concerned locals. The former Station Hotel in South Hetton has been branded a “dilapidated, dangerous disgrace” by concerned locals. (Image: The Northern Echo)

The parish council has now urged the local authority to prioritise the community campaign. 

Proud residents point to the “thriving” community centre, successful cricket club, “flourishing” businesses, and excellent school. But the state of the Station Hotel and the anti-social behaviour it attracts is an ongoing cause for concern. 

For the local parish council and community groups, the state of the site is particularly grating given the improvements elsewhere in the village. 

Cllr Rodgers added: “It’s frustrating, with all the good work we’ve done in the village, and the one thing that remains is that awful eyesore of a building. 

“It’s the one building in the whole village where people will think ‘Look at the state of that’.

“As residents, it’s outside our control to do anything other than ask the authorities to push forward and do something about it.”

“It’s the one building in the whole village where people will think ‘Look at the state of that’.“It’s the one building in the whole village where people will think ‘Look at the state of that’. (Image: The Northern Echo)

The pub closed more than 15 years ago and was later bought at auction, but attempts to contact the owner have failed. The building is the only lasting memory of the former railway station which served the village. 

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Sheryl Elliot, a resident who set up the petition, is also scathing in her assessment of the building.

“It looks dreadful and dangerous, and is now a blot on the village’s landscape,” she said. 

Following the concerns, Durham County Council said it could urge the building’s owners to improve the site. 

Stephen Reed, planning development manager, said: “We are aware of local people’s concerns about the condition of this privately-owned building and are investigating with a view to exercising powers under section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act to require the owners to carry out a number of improvements.”