Plea to protect listed buildings after fire

Shotley Park in County Durham was destroyed in a large fire on the 5 October

An MP has asked how listed buildings can be better protected after a former care home was gutted in a fire.

Shotley Park Residential Home in County Durham was destroyed by the large blaze in October after repeatedly being targeted by vandals.

Residents had previously warned the area had become an anti-social behaviour hotspot and Liz Trust, Labour MP for Blaydon and Consett, told a House of Commons debate they have been left "devastated" by the destruction of the Grade II listed building.

Ian Murray, Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts, encouraged Twist to speak to her local authority which has powers to take action where listed buildings are at risk.

The former stately home, which dates back to the 1800s, was most recently used as a care home and closed in 2023 because of high costs.

The fire is being investigated as an arson attack.

'Destroyed by scumbags'

Peter Wright lived at Shotley Park when it operated as the children's home and had previously pleaded with the local authorities to protect the site.

In June 2024, he said: "I'm watching my childhood home be destroyed by scumbags who have no idea what they're doing."

A change of use planning application for the property was approved by Durham County Council in 2024, but no further progress was made.

In the Commons, Twist said: "I understand that an investigation is ongoing into the circumstances, but can the minister say more in general terms what steps we can take to protect our listed buildings and the memories they represent for local people?"

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Murray said there is "no specific duty on owners to keep their buildings in a good state of repair", adding local authorities have the power to "take action where a listed building may be at risk".

"There is also the buildings at risk register, and I encourage [Twist] to speak to her local authority to see what can be done to help," he said.