THE FUTURE of an historic hotel looks more secure after councillors backed plans to build houses in its grounds.

Owners of the three-star Hardwicke Hall Manor Hotel at Hesleden, near Blackhall, say building four houses within an adjacent walled garden would allow them to invest in the hotel and protect 31 jobs.

Yesterday (Tuesday, November 10), the scheme won the backing of Durham County Council’s central and east planning committee, which unanimously voted to grant planning permission.

Planning officers had recommended the proposals be thrown out, as they were concerned about the partial demolition of a Grade II-listed garden wall to allow access to the new homes.

There were also concerns the new homes would represent development in the countryside and that there may be remains of a medieval manor complex buried under the site.

Blackhall councillor Rob Crute called on the committee to grant planning consent, as it would support the economy in east Durham, attract tourists to the coast and keep them in the area overnight.

Alan Bradley said running the hotel with his brother David for 29 years had been a labour of love and although the hotel was doing “reasonably well” it was impossible to maintain a Grade II-listed building “out of normal profits”.

Cllr John Lethbridge said the garden was a “wilderness” that would benefit from “remedying” and as long as an archaeological survey found nothing to stop the development, he would support it.

Cllr Audrey Laing said the council had to be seen to be supporting local businesses and hotel was in need of investment.

“There could be 31 jobs lost if this doesn’t go ahead,” she added.

Cllr June Clark also spoke in favour of the development, while Cllr Geraldine Bleasdale spoke in favour of protection of the “beautiful” hotel.

The building dates from the 16th century, although most of the main house was built in the 18th century. It was previously used as National Coal Board offices.

Planning permission for 25 new bedrooms was granted in 1999 but the scheme never went ahead.

The four houses proposed would each be detached, of two storeys and have three bedrooms each. They would be of traditional design and built around a central courtyard, reached by a new access road through the wall forming the walled garden.