Magistrates have approved applications made by Northumberland County Council, under the Building Act 1984, against two different property owners to carry out works to their properties in order to stop them posing a danger to the public. 
 

Court Orders have been issued to the owners of The Drill Hall in Prudhoe, and a residential house in Hexham to ensure repairs are carried out within a set time frame to remove the danger to the public. 
 

The Orders were made in accordance with s77 of the Building Act 1984 which allows the local authority to ask the Magistrates to make an Order requiring the owner of the property to execute works  to remove the danger posed. 
 

The case against the residential property was heard at Bedlington Magistrates Court on 1 December 2022.    Northumberland County Council’s Building Control Officers were of the view that the roof of the property was dangerous due to the number of loose slates which had the potential to come off and injure someone.   
 

The homeowner attended court and had already arranged for scaffolding to be put up and engaged a local roofer.  He agreed that due to the loose slates the building was in dangerous condition and the Magistrates made the Order. It was agreed that three months was a suitable time frame for the works to be completed.  
 

The second case relating to the Old Drill Hall in Prudhoe was heard on 2 December 2022. The building had been left empty for a number of years and is in a state of partial demolition.  The council, using its statutory powers has in the past taken action to make it safe by erecting fencing and boarding up windows, and has been keeping a close eye on the condition of the building. 
 

A recently conducted survey, revealed that masonry on the east side of it appeared close to collapse. This was on a throughfare used by the public, and as such it was clearly dangerous and immediate action was required and the road was closed off to prevent access.  
 

There were also issues with the building generally which did not require immediate action, but again the council’s Building Control Officers agreed that the building was dangerous and as such it was agreed to make an application to the Court for a dangerous building Order. The owner addressed the court by video link and the Order was granted requiring the work to be completed in six weeks.   
 

Northumberland County Councillor, Colin Horncastle, Cabinet member for public protection said: 
“The council has statutory duties to ensure that all structures within the county that are considered dangerous are made safe within the shortest period of time possible. 
 

“We are pleased the magistrates have approved our applications for court orders and that work will start almost immediately to make these dangerous buildings safe.”