A HISTORIC building in Brent is being demolished after passionate campaigns failed to save it.

Campaigners were horrified to discover that Brent Council started demolishing Dollis Hill House on Tuesday last week .

The 19th Century building, in Gladstone Park, was the former residence of Prime Minister William Gladstone and author Mark Twain, who dubbed it 'paradise on earth'.

The Dollis Hill House Trust has been trying to get the Grade II listed building restored and turned into a community facility for more than five years.

Graham Durham, long standing member of the DHHT, said: "The council did try to put it up for sale, but apparently there were no offers.

"It has had a long history and had a variety of uses including being used as a cookery school by Willesden College. We think it should be kept as a community facility. It would make a fantastic shop, cafe and community centre."

Brent Council said it had 'no alternative' but to apply for demolition because of the cost of restoringthe building, which was damaged in four arson attacks. In April, secretary of state for communities and local government, Eric Pickles, approved the decision.

The authority has tried to appease concerned residents and historians, saying it plans to create a 'lasting legacy' for the house on site, but details of this are yet to be released.

A council spokesman said: "Since its closure in 1994, the council spent many years exhausting all options in securing a viable future for the building. After four arson attacks, Dollis Hill House had lost its roof, most of the internal features of the first-floor, and the staircase.

"They council had no alternative but to apply for demolition.

"The land the building sits on will still be part of the park, and the council plan to create a lasting legacy for Dollis Hill House on the site."

Demolition is due to take place between December and January, but preparations on the house have already started.

Is it acceptable to demolish Dollis Hill House? Please tell us your views by posting a comment on our Wembley & Willesden community site .