I WAS amazed to read about the total incompetence of Durham County Council in relation to the sale of Windlestone Hall, a grade II*- listed building dating back to 1835 and the birthplace of former Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden (Echo, Oct 1).

The extensive property with clock tower, servants quarters and 25 acres of land is being sold to someone for £241,000.

The value put on the property when it was first for sale in 2007 was £2 million.

How can the council justify its poor performance in selling this public asset at a knock down price?

I do not ever remember hearing about or seeing advertisements for the property – or was the sale just made known to certain parties or a selected few?

Had the property been put into the hands of “professional” estate agents, they would have sold it at a much higher price.

I am led to believe that if the 25 acres of land had been sold at today’s market price of £4,000 per acre they would have made £100,000 – this in effect means the council has sold the mansion for £141,000.

It seems a buyer did offer £1.5m but was turned down.

A lot of questions need answering about the council’s behaviour over the sale.

Stuart Walton, Sherburn