AN EYESORE farm which was subject to a legal tug of war over its ownership has formally been put for sale as the battle to acquire it hots up.

The 65 acre West Musgrave Farm, in St Helen Auckland, County Durham, is being advertised by Rea Estates which has been granted sole selling rights by owners Christopher Shepherd and his sister Joanne Long.

William Rea, director of Rea Estates, said: “We are endeavouring to find a developer who is prepared to put in an application for planning which is the best way forward for the local community and deal with this eyesore once and for all.”

The couple, who were granted vacant possession from their brothers Paul and Raymond Shepherd after a lengthy legal battle, were in negotiations with developer Tindale who wanted the site to build 600 social homes.

But that deal broke down. It is understood Mr Shepherd was seeking in the region of £7m for West Musgrave, twice what Tindale had offered.

Mr Rea, whose company will receive a “small percentage” of any successful sale, said: “Mr Shepherd and his sister have both told me categorically that they are not going to sell to them [Tindale].

“But if Tindale made the right offer I would sell it to them – if I can get the vendors to accept. They just keep bringing their offer down and down."

Mark Rowlings, a spokesman for Tindale, described one reported valuation of £12m received by Mr Shepherd as “way over the odds”.

He said: “Our position on West Musgrave Farm is clear. We would love to develop the land, provide much needed social housing and remove the massive headache that local residents have had to endure for more than ten years.

“Our continued involvement over this period of time is a testament to our commitment when others would have walked away a long time ago.”

Locals say they are concerned about health issues concerning the site which was, in the past, used as a dumping ground for illegal waste.

A meeting called by St Helen’s Residents Association on Monday evening to discuss the matter had to be postponed but is to be rearranged.