THREE out of the five care homes that were controversially closed by a county council are under offer after being put up for sale, The Northern Echo has learnt.

Mendip House, in Chester-le-Street, Cheveley House, in Belmont, Durham, and Feryemount House, in Ferryhill, were first advertised for sale back in October 2014.

Mendip was advertised as suitable for business, community facilities, recreational or residential use, while the other two were available for residential development, subject to planning permission.

No guide price was placed on the properties.

A scheme for Cheveley House by developer All Saints Living has already been approved by councillors and involves demolishing it and building 26 new two, three and four bedroomed homes and apartments. Work is due to begin in January.

Another residential home which shut, Newtown House, in Stanhope, remains on the market despite Durham County Council accepting an offer on it last year.

The offer, which is understood to have come from a County Durham care home provider, was subsequently withdrawn.

Its closure sparked huge controversy and led to a sit-in protest involving the last remaining resident, retired headteacher Don Robson, and his family.

Their wishes were that Newtown House be retained as a care home.

County Councillor John Shuttleworth, who represents Weardale, said the closure of Newtown House had left a continued gap in residential care home provision in the area.

Cllr Shuttleworth, who lodged his own bid for the property, said: “In terms of a fully residential care home there is nothing within a 20 mile radius and I know of at least eight people living locally who are now having to go to Crook.

“The problem here is you are so remote and not easily accessible.”

A fifth care home which closed, Grampian House, in Peterlee, was sold for £155,000 last October to Helen McArdle homes. It was due to be demolished and a new 55 bed care home created.

A spokesman for Durham County Council said it was unable to give any more information about the offer which was withdrawn for Newtown House as it was confidential.

The closure of the homes meant the North-East was left with no remaining council-run care homes.

Revenue from the sales will not be ring fenced with Durham County Council previously stating it would be allocated “in line with the council’s spending priorities”.