VILLAGERS have offered give up their own time to try to “tidy up” a set of cottages.
The state of Whorlton’s Grange Terrace has been a regular item on the parish council agenda for a number of years.
Villager Ann Woodward asked council members last week whether something could be done to sort the cottages out.
She said: “It seems such a pity that they are being allowed to remain in such a state – I understand the county council was not able to do anything about it. Surely we can send a query to them again?
“The village itself is so attractive and people make an effort – it’s a lovely place to live and it’s a shame the owners have got away with leaving them to rot.”
Clerk Jonathan Dickinson warned the council “did not have anything fresh” to offer Durham County Council and labouring the point could “switch off” the authority.
“It’s one of those things we’ve been trying to achieve for a number of years – including removing those two old cars,” he said.
Cllr George Stastny said the council could write to Teesdale’s MP Helen Goodman.
However, Cllr Lynda Powell suggested a change of stance.
She said: “Could we contact the owners, and, if someone is willing, give the front area a tidy up? It may be an option so it at least looked acceptable – we cannot just go in and mow the lawn but if we were to contact the owners we could do it.
“It’s something we could perhaps explore as a positive way of dealing with it.”
Mr Dickinson said the missives they’d sent to the homeowners in the past had not had any effect.
He added: “The letters we have sent have been nothing friendly – they have threatened legal action.”
Cllr Powell added: “It’s opening up the conversation in a slightly different way – and if we don’t get a response we can say we’ve made an effort.”
Cllr Martin Saville liked the idea.
“It’s positive rather than negative,” he added.
Councillors agreed to try to track down all the homeowners.
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