Demolition is not ruled out
DEVELOPERS have refused to rule out demolishing an arson-hit historic mansion which has blighted a plush part of Hartlepool for years.
Tunstall Court, in the Ward Jackson Park area of Hartlepool, is owned by Ruttle North East and the firm has planning permission to transform the 5.4 acre site into housing.
Work on the building – which was put on the market with a whopping £4m price tag last year – is yet to start and Ruttle’s have refused to rule out demolishing the site although they say that is not on their radar at the moment.
Planning permission is in place to partially demolish, extend and redevelop Tunstall Court to create 21 new homes in the main building and 12 executive-style detached houses in the grounds.
A spokesman for Ruttle’s said there had been interest in the building.
Conservative group leader Ray Wells, who represents the Rural West, said the building has blighted the community for years and at this stage he “would not rule out” supporting demolition.
Harry Ruttle, of the Ruttle Group, said: “We are not looking at demolition at the moment but it is an option.
“It is not on the cards at the moment and there has been interest in the site but there is no time scale for development.
“Tunstall Court is a great site, a beautiful spot, in a nice area.
“We are hoping to move forward with the development, it could be a fantastic site.”
Coun Wells said: “This site has blighted the lives of many residents for far too long.
“I wouldn’t like to say too much without seeing the plans but as the building remains underdeveloped, I would be keen to see the site restored or redeveloped to the benefit of the whole neighbourhood.
“If that means the demolition of the building then at this stage I would not rule out supporting it.”
Its sale and redevelopment would put a stop to arsonists and vandals targeting the grand building.
Originally built for the Furness shipbuilding family in 1894, Tunstall Court was taken over by the council who used it as a training venue before selling it in 2005.
The house is not listed.
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Monday 20 May 2013
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