Hall left empty for years may be turned into luxury apartments

Staindrop Hall in Front Street, Staindrop, is one of the biggest houses in the village.

The grade II listed house, which dates back to 1607, is owned by the Hon Harry Vane, son of Lord Barnard of Raby Castle. It has been unoccupied for about seven years.

Mr Vane and his architect Jim Gordon have approached Staindrop Parish Council for opinion on the development, which would see the house turned into ten self-contained flats.

Dr Gordon’s plans involve the main part of the building being converted into three flats, and restoring the coach house to form a detached dwelling.

Two detached properties and four apartments would be built in the corner of the large rear garden. There would be improved access and parking.

Mr Vane said: “It wouldn’t be right of me to go into too much detail before a planning application has been submitted. I don’t consider it to be financially viable for anyone to restore the house as a single residence.

“It was lived in by an elderly widow, who didn’t use all the house. There are ancillary buildings that are derelict and haven’t been touched in decades.

Coun Virginia Trotter, a Staindrop parish councillor who looked round the house with Dr Gordon, said: “At first I was a little angry that someone wasn’t going to be allowed to do it up as one house.

“But having seen it, I understand that there is no way one person can do up that house.

“Nothing has been done to it for a million years. The stone and lead have been stolen from the roof, so you can imagine what the damp is like.

“The architect is very, very sympathetic towards the building and all the old bits will remain.

It’s the best of a bad job, I’d say.”

The house was initially owned by the Ewbank family before being bought by Raby Estates in the 18th century, after which it housed younger members of the Vane family.

It is thought a planning application will be submitted to Teesdale District Council in the coming months.