COUNCILLORS have expressed ‘real sadness and disappointment’ at the lack of plans for the future of the Durham Light Infantry Museum site in Durham.

The City of Durham Parish Council has said it is concerned after a report was received that one of the windows of the building had been smashed and subsequently boarded up.

Durham County Council closed the museum, which housed historic uniforms, firearms, medals from the regiment, and attracted 39,000 visitors a year, in 2016, moving the collection to a specialist facility in Spennymoor.

The council has said there are currently no plans for the building.

Councillor Elizabeth Scott, chairman of City of Durham Parish Council, said: “The City of Durham Parish Council is very saddened at the lack of plans for the future of the building and the fact that there appears to be no plans to protect this important building.

“Here in Durham, we have one of the proudest regimental histories in the whole of the United Kingdom and it is really upsetting for the families and friends of former and existing service men and women that the building has been left in this way.

“The ashes of former service men and women are scattered here and we really need to give the building the respect it deserves.”

The parish council has responded to the county council to state that it wishes to work with the authority to come up with a long term plan for the building.

Diane Inglis, secretary of DLI museum campaign group The Faithful Durhams said: “We are not surprised by the county council’s response, stating they have no plans for the area, which in turn asks the question, why then was the DLI Museum closed which was home to the DLI Collection?

“Almost all the families in County Durham had members who served in the DLI over the years and to think how the area has been left, basically abandoned is a disgrace, especially as there are soldiers’ ashes scattered around the grounds of the museum as well as memorial benches with dedications still on just left.

“This area needs protecting and should have always been protected.”

The county council has said there are plans for a new history centre at Mount Oswald would provide an opportunity to bring together the DLI Collection Research and Study Centre in Spennymoor with the collection’s archives, which are in the care of Durham County Record Office.

That would make them available to the public in a single location for the first time since the 1990s.

The history centre could also offer exhibition space to tell the story of Durham’s history, including the DLI, with a programme of exhibitions, activities and events.

Susan Robinson, head of corporate property and land at Durham County Council, said: “There are no plans to develop the former DLI Museum and grounds.

“We will soon be submitting plans for a new £17.7 million history centre at Mount Oswald, which will provide a permanent home for the DLI Collection.

“Once the centre opens, subject to planning permission, we will seek the public’s views on how best to commemorate DLI soldiers at the former museum site.

“Our clean and green team continues to visit the grounds once a week to remove litter and carry out routine maintenance. Incidents of vandalism and anti-social behaviour are rare in this area and if they do occur, we notify the police.

“The DLI Collection remains a treasured part of the region’s heritage, with thousands more people of all ages enjoying tours of the DLI Research and Study Centre in Spennymoor and exhibitions and educational projects across the county.”