Call to secure ‘danger’ pubs
Calls have been made to Durham County Council (DCC) to secure “dangerous” derelict pubs in Seaham.
Seaham Town Council’s planning and environmental committee discussed the pubs on June 26 while noting an email sent to DCC’s regeneration team.
The email listed several pubs “letting Seaham down” and asked what the county council is doing to “make them safe”.
Problem pubs included the ex-Lord Byron pub near Hawthorn Square, the Golden Lion, Duke of Seaham and In Between in South Railway Street, and fire-damaged Noah’s Ark pub building.
Coun Steven Colburn, speaking at the meeting at Seaham Town Hall, expressed concerns about the state of the former Lord Byron and Noah’s Ark pubs.
“They’re directly adjacent to residential properties and if kids go into these buildings and something happens, I’m not going to be happy having that on my conscience,” he said.
He added: “There must be laws to force the owners of the buildings to bring them up to spec or do something about it.
“It doesn’t do anything for the residents who have to open their curtains and look at them in the morning.”
Coun Eddie Bell told the committee a potential solution of compulsory purchase orders – or taking over buildings without consent of the owner – was fraught with legal issues.
Coun Sonia Forster added: “Durham County Council is trying in different ways and I agree it’s a disgrace, but the law is the law.”
The committee heard that planning permission had been submitted for two of the town’s derelict pubs in 2016 with decisions pending.
This includes plans to demolish the Noah’s Ark pub and build a new pub, restaurant, takeaway and 12- room bed and breakfast in its place.
The Lord Byron pub could also be demolished and replaced with four new homes and garages pending a decision from DCC.