Village group looking to acquire former MIddleton-in-Teesdale ambulance station

A COMMUNITY group is in a race against time to save a former ambulance station and turn it into a business start-up unit.
Middleton-in-Teesdale Ambulance Depot, in Masterman Place, was declared an asset of community value two years ago and was put up for sale in June this year.
Under the Localism Act, the depot may not be sold to anyone except a community interest group before December 14, but Durham Dales Enterprise Community Interest Company (DDECIC), which successfully appealed for the property to be declared an asset of community value, says it is not getting the information it needs to make a bid.
The group is behind the successful business incubator units at the village’s auction mart which has helped enterprises such as Cafe Fresh and Hotch Potch upholsters get off the ground.
It wants to turn the depot into an extra unit to help other entrepreneurs but officials say they need information such as the asking price so they can start applying for funding.
They have yet to be allowed in to view the property despite their interest being registered four months ago.
Diane Spark, of the community interest company, said: “DDECIC remain very interested in acquiring the ambulance station and look forward to viewing the premises as soon as possible.
“We also hope that particulars relating to the value and purchase conditions, which are essential to any offer we may make, are forthcoming before the window of opportunity which the Localism Act offers us is closed”.
James Pain, of Frew Pain and Partners, which is acting as agent for the property sale, said there had been a “flurry of interest” in the property and he hoped to get all of parties at the site together for a block viewing.
He confirmed two private buyers were also interested in the station, but given the urgency he would arrange an individual viewing for the Durham Dales company.
Mr Pain said he had already sent photographs and floor plans of the property to all parties.
Regarding the asking price he said: “It is on sale for offers in the region of £75,000.”
The former ambulance station consists of a garage and store, an office, WC facilities and a kitchen.