Once thriving seaside village now has properties selling for as little as £5,000
One destination in North East England was once a thriving mining community, but now it has been left abandoned, with houses going up for auction for as little as £5,000.
A once-thriving seaside community in northern England has become a ghost town, with property values crashing to as little as £5,000. Horden, situated in Durham, was previously a bustling mining settlement.
But following the industry's demise it has been stripped of employment opportunities and, progressively, the residents who provided its character and vitality. After commencing operations in 1904, the Horden Colliery functioned until 1987. The area has experienced significant joblessness ever since. In the village there have been rows of abandoned houses available for purchase. Four dwellings were previously advertised on Rightmove for auction beginning at £5,000.
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Residents blamed rising crime levels and a lack of attention from authorities as factors contributing to the village's decline.
One local, who preferred anonymity, told Express.co.uk: "We are based in the most deprived area of County Durham. The council has given homes to the most deprived people and not many people come to this area."
The settlement's distinguished and extensive mining heritage once achieved recognition throughout Europe after dedicated labourers established a record for the greatest amount of coal extracted in one day, removing 6,758 tonnes on May 9, 1930.
During the 1930s, Horden Colliery was recognised as the "jewel in the crown" of the area and Britain's most productive coal extraction facility.
A representative from Horden Parish Council previously said: "The parish council is aware of the decline in the village since the colliery closed in the late 1980s and the effect on house prices.
"The National Coal Board housing stock was sold off, especially from one social housing supplier, and it is now predominantly in the hands of absent landlords and that is probably the reason behind the decline of the village."
The parish representative added: "The ownership of the houses is mostly with landlords and many of them don't look after the properties. The Government has also failed to invest in the local community."
Last year, Durham County Council agreed to invest £6million into the regeneration of Horden as part of an ambition to provide a better standard of housing and quality of life for local people.
