Despite a hard fought campaign by the Glendale Action Group (which I set up to oppose the council's closure plans and which included myself, care home staff, residents and their families) Glendale House residential care home closed its doors for the last time in 2011.
At that time I was given an assurance by Durham County Council that its closure would not have a negative impact on residents living nearby in Orchid Court, Daffodil Close or Primrose Court. Unfortunately I have received a number of complaints recently about the general condition of the building and the surrounding site. These issues have also been raised persistently as a concern at the Community Forum I chair at the Resource Centre on the second Wednesday of each month.
I have contacted the estates department at county hall to ask for an update on the current ownership status of Glendale House and I have also been in touch with the environmental section to ask that the grass be cut back as its current unruly condition sends out all the wrong messages (I visited the site earlier this week and saw evidence of damage to the property as a result of an attempted break-in). I have also asked that the police and neighbourhood wardens give the area some priority over the coming weeks and months to act as a deterrent for potential trespassers.
I have been advised by the estates department that the sale of Glendale House is at an advanced stage and that new ownership should be finalised in the next two weeks. I am told that this is the reason for the delay in carrying out repairs to the property and for the grounds maintenance matters remaining unresolved. I do not accept this excuse.
The ownership of the site is of no particular importance at the moment to the residents living nearby. They are much more interested in identifying who is responsible for maintaining the site and then seeing it returned to an acceptable condition.
I have passed my concerns and comments to the relevant departments at county hall and asked that the residents problems be resolved without delay.
I will keep you informed of developments in this matter but please let me know in the meantime if you have any particular issues you would like me to address.