A LOCAL authority is to sell the vandalised hunting lodge in the grounds of a 600-year-old heritage-listed stately home.

The proceeds of the sale will be used to upgrade the stables of the nearby Turton Tower.

The Lodge, or summerhouse, is 800 metres away from the Grade I-listed building which dates from 1420.

The decision to sell has been taken by Blackburn with Darwen Council regeneration boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood and the committee of the Turton Tower Charity Trust.

Darwen East Liberal Democrat Cllr Paul Browne has welcomed the move saying: "It seems a sensible attitude if the lodge is too expensive to repair.

"If the money is going to be used to invest in the stables it is the right thing to do."

A report to council colleagues by Cllr Mahmood says: "The Lodge and the Turton Tower Estate are owned by Blackburn with Darwen Council as sole Corporate Trustee for the Turton Tower Charity Trust.

"The Lodge which is located 800m away from the Tower, is a residential property on the edge of highly sought after semi-rural village.

"However, the accommodation is falling into increasing disrepair.

"The previous tenant vacated 12 months ago and during the intervening period there has been low-level vandalism to the building.

"In its current condition to refurbish the property to rentable standards would require significant investment.

"Independent valuation has confirmed that the Lodge would generate significant interest if put up for sale on the open market.

"Proceeds of the sale would be ring-fenced to invest in the long-term sustainability plans for the Tower including the development of the stables to create commercial hospitality spaces for income generation to contribute to a sustainable business model for Turton Tower and create a funding reserve for future investment and upkeep of the historic Grade 1-listed building.

"The Lodge is a detached part single, part two-storey dwelling originally built as a lodge house in the late 1800’s to serve the Turton Tower Estate. It is located in the grounds of the borough’s only Grade 1-listed building but is itself not part of the listing

"The Lodge is an unusual property but offers an interesting but constrained renovation project.

"Leaving it vacant risks the potential for further damage to occur and the need for increased costs to secure/protect the property.

"The property cannot be re-let without significant investment to upgrade and refurbish it with the council retaining full liability for repair and ongoing maintenance."