It seems the opencast wasn't the first to attempt the destruction of Chibburn. A Newcastle Journal report of 1845 reports:
"There exist in the neighbourhood of Low Chibburn, the remains of some curious old buildings, now used as a farmstead, but of whose original use, there is not any accurate account in tradition or history....The parts now remaining seem to have consisted of a chapel, which is now used as a stable - a grange, or it may be a manor house, which is now the dwelling house, and a courtyard capable of being strongly defended, being surrounded by other old buildings; and, through the whole is found a great quantity of beautiful old oak timber of great length and thickness, many of the beams being a foot square and upwards. These remains are in a very lonely situation, and have probably never been visited by an antiquary. It is understood they will be pulled down through the course of the summer to furnish materials for repairs on the estate
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