A 19TH Century stately home which was the birthplace of a former Prime Minister and regarded as one of the most historically significant buildings in the North-East has been sold – six years after it was first put on the market.

Windlestone Hall, near Rushyford, County Durham, a grade II*-listed building which was the birthplace in 1897 and family home of former Conservative Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden, has been sold for £241,000 by owners Durham County Council.

The sale, which comprises the hall, a clock tower, adjoining buildings and 25.5 acres of parkland, has sparked controversy with one councillor claiming the authority had failed to get the best price.

County Councillor John Shuttleworth said a previous valuation on behalf of the council, thought to have been around the time it was placed up for sale, had been well into seven figures.

He said: “The council may say they have got good value for it, but has it really? My worry is that at a time when the authority needs all the money it can get this is another example of money being frittered away.”

The Northern Echo understands the hall has fallen into serious disrepair in recent years and the cost to restore it could be considerable.

Meanwhile, the council’s bill for securing the hall – £81,000 a year – is thought to be another reason for the sale.

Windlestone was first marketed by the authority in 2006 and a buyer was found who intended converting it and demolishing unlisted parts for luxury flats. But because of lengthy planning wrangles the deal was never concluded and the buyer withdrew.

The Echo has spoken to the new owners who do not want their identity to be revealed.

They said: “It is a private home which is going to be renovated back to its original splendour.”

Explaining the background to the sale, Michael Gilbey, Durham County Council’s area estate manager, said: “The council began marketing the property in 2006 and an offer was accepted at that time, but was subject to planning consent.

“The developer spent a number of years negotiating with English Heritage over the scheme, but in 2010 English Heritage refused the proposals.

“We were looking at alternative options when we received an expression of interest, which culminated in the sale of the property.

“We are obliged to obtain the best value for a property.

“As the hall is a grade II* listed building, we were obliged by law to protect and maintain it while it was under our ownership. In order to meet this requirement, we had to provide 24-hour security for the property while it was vacant in order to protect it from vandals and metal thieves.”

As well as being used as a prisoner of war camp during the Second World War, Windlestone was a school for youngsters with emotional and behavioural difficulties for nearly 50 years.

But following the need for extensive repairs the school relocated several years ago to a purpose-built site two miles away in Chilton, leaving the hall empty.

A spokeswoman for English Heritage said Windlestone Hall was of the “most historically significant buildings in the North-East” and was one of the top eight per cent of listed buildings in the country.

She said: “The hall is on our Heritage at Risk register and we have worked with the council for a number of years to make sure the necessary urgent repairs are carried out.

“We are pleased new owners have been found and look forward to working with them and the council.”