Company Fined for Neglecting Repairs on Listed Church

A Grade II listed church, situated within a conservation area, has deteriorated significantly, leading to its description as “an eyesore” for the entire vicinity. The proprietor of St Aidan’s Church in Blackhill, located near Consett, County Durham, has been penalized for failing to undertake essential maintenance on the structure. Magistrates in Peterlee were informed that the local landmark is no longer wind or watertight and adversely affects the surrounding environment. Purvis Construction NE Ltd, the site owner, did not send a representative to the court hearing on Wednesday and was consequently issued a £10,000 fine. The company, based in New Silksworth, Sunderland, had not adhered to a notice served by the council in November 2023. Durham County Council stated that the firm, which has held ownership of the church since 2017, did not respond to attempts to discuss the matter, including a letter dispatched in June explaining the council’s intention to pursue legal action. The council’s notice mandated that the company carry out repairs to the building’s roof. It also stipulated that gutters, downpipes, troughs, and pipes be cleared and repaired; missing or defective window security screenings be replaced; and overgrown trees or shrubs along the property’s boundary be cut back. Stephen Reed, the council’s planning manager, commented: “St Aidan’s Church is no longer in use but remains a listed building and prominent landmark within a conservation area. “The fact it’s been allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair not only poses a risk of further damage to the inside of the building but has resulted in it becoming an eyesore detracting from the vibrancy of the local area.”