Newton Aycliffe residents celebrate the demolition of derelict nursing home (From The Advertiser Series)

Newton Aycliffe residents celebrate the demolition of derelict nursing home

5:57pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News By Lizzie Anderson

A DERELICT nursing home that has been an anti-social behaviour hotspot for years was finally demolished this week, much to the delight of nearby residents.

Greenfields Nursing Home at Greenfield Way, Newton Aycliffe, has been a “thorn in the side” of police and residents ever since it closed down over seven years ago.

And last month, after much campaigning by regulars at the Greenfield Police and Community Together (PACT) meetings, planning permission was granted to replace the building with 22 affordable homes.

Councillor Dorothy Bowman said she was “elated” to see the building come down.

“I think it is marvelous,” she said. “There have been problems on that site for years with youths, even when it was still a nursing home.

“We regularly discussed it at PACT meetings and we have had a petition going calling for it to be knocked down.

“It is an eye-sore and we will be glad to see it go.”

Once the demolition is complete, house building group Galliford Try will build 11 two-bedroom and 11 three-bedroom properties on behalf of social housing provider livin.

The houses will be available for local people to rent or buy next September.