DURHAM County Council has issued a warning to the Church Commissioners that listed building consent is required to move the £15m Zurbaran paintings out of Auckland Castle.

The authority has written to the commissioners stating that the 18th Century paintings, which hang in the long dining room at the castle, in Bishop Auckland, form part of the building’s grade I-listed status.

Under that status, the commissioners would be required to apply to the county council to remove the artwork from the castle.

Ian Thompson, corporate director of regeneration and economic development at the county council, said: “At this stage we are still carrying out a thorough investigation, however, we have issued the letter because our initial perception is that the Zurbaran paintings do form part of the grade I-listed status of Auckland Castle.

“Therefore, if there were any changes to the location of the paintings we would, at this stage, require the Church Commissioners to apply for listed building consent.

“This is an extremely complex issue and we are currently sourcing the historical documentation which we would hope to use as evidence.

“This will confirm the longterm status of the paintings.”

However, a spokeswoman for the Church Commissioners said it was still the members’ firm belief that the paintings were not fixtures at the castle, and would not need listed building consent if they were relocated.

She said: “We have taken legal advice, but we are awaiting formal confirmation.”

Meanwhile, Bishop Auckland and Teesdale MP Helen Goodman, who is launching a petition against the sale of the Zurbaran paintings and Auckland Castle this morning, welcomed the move by the county council.

She said: “I think the county council must use its professional judgement and do a thorough job on this.

“Potentially, this is very significant and the authority must take the time to sort it out properly.

“This is just a pause in the process. I hope that the authority is correct.”

Ms Goodman will be in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, from 10am today collecting signatures on a petition that she will present to Parliament.

Copies of the document can be downloaded from her website helengoodman.co.uk or collected from her office in Cockton Hill Road. For information, call 01388-603075.

■ See Monday’s Northern Echo for the petition launch.