HISTORIC Sherborne House is up for sale with offers expected in the region of £3million.
Dorset County Council is inviting informal tender bids for the 20,000 sq ft grade one listed building and its 4.22 acres of surrounding land, encompassing the former pleasure garden, orchard and land to the rear of the fire station.
The planning authority, West Dorset District Council, has already created a concept for the development, in principle supporting a high quality residential development on the land to the north of the house.
But bidders must also agree to refurbish the house itself.
Built in Tudor times, the bulk of the current Sherborne House dates back to 1720 and its chief attraction is its baroque stairwell decorated by Sir James Thornhill, famed for his murals at St Paul's Cathedral and Blenheim Palace.
However, the building has fallen into disrepair and requires substantial renovation works.
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It was included in the BBC's programme Restoration in 2004, battling against other buildings for millions of pounds in public aid.
Trustees were left devastated after their £3 million bid was rejected by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
County councillors last year decided that proposals to transform the house into a regional arts centre were not viable and instead agreed on a private sale.
Cabinet member for environment Hilary Cox said: "The county council cannot afford to keep pumping money into maintaining the property, but at the same time we are committed to securing its proper restoration and long-term future.
"Any buyer will have to enter into a legal agreement requiring refurbishment works to be carried out, according to specifications agreed with English Heritage and the local planning authority.
"We are keeping an open mind about possible future uses of the house, and would welcome an arrangement which would provide some form of public access.
"Ultimately, we would like the whole town of Sherborne to take pride in, and benefit from, this exceptional property."
Savills in Wimborne and Humberts in Yeovil are jointly handling the sale and expect enormous interest.
Contact Nigel Jones of Humberts on 01935 415454 or Paul Spong of Savills on 01202 856800.
Posted by: Nighthawk, Bournemouth on 12:04pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Munkstar[/bold] wrote:
Its served its time, pull it down, or ask Dave Wells.[/quote] How dare you!!! You would rather destroy our National Heritage and replace with cheap tacky rabbit hutches, which are highly unlikely to be still standing in fifty years, let alone nearly three hundred years.
This beautiful former Tudor House should be lovingly restored for future generations to enjoy, long after we are all dead and buried, you included.
Hang your head in shame for making such a thoughtless statement.
If I had my way I would put a bomb underneath these so called extremely ugly modern designer built monstrosities, being inflicted on the public today. Built by so called Yuppy Designers and thrown up in the cheapest materials available by greedy money grabbing Developers. They are a total blot on the landscape, stand out like a sore thumb, and do not deserve to be built alongside the superb historical buildings of the past that are still currently standing.
We should be proud of our Heritage and do everything in our power to protect and preserve indefinitely.
Munkstar wrote:
Its served its time, pull it down, or ask Dave Wells.
How dare you!!! You would rather destroy our National Heritage and replace with cheap tacky rabbit hutches, which are highly unlikely to be still standing in fifty years, let alone nearly three hundred years.
This beautiful former Tudor House should be lovingly restored for future generations to enjoy, long after we are all dead and buried, you included.
Hang your head in shame for making such a thoughtless statement.
If I had my way I would put a bomb underneath these so called extremely ugly modern designer built monstrosities, being inflicted on the public today. Built by so called Yuppy Designers and thrown up in the cheapest materials available by greedy money grabbing Developers. They are a total blot on the landscape, stand out like a sore thumb, and do not deserve to be built alongside the superb historical buildings of the past that are still currently standing.
We should be proud of our Heritage and do everything in our power to protect and preserve indefinitely.
Posted by: Jayteer, Bournemouth on 6:12pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Munkstar[/bold] wrote:
Its served its time, pull it down, or ask Dave Wells.[/quote] Well theres a suggestion worth note of.
I agree with Nighthawk.
You really are an idiot.
Is it not bad enough that every shred of national identity,tradition and culture is being consistently WIPED out by govt powers that be (spiralling immigration, uncontrollable development of rural/areas of historical interest,rising levels of crime as a result of broken families on the rise etc etc), and you want this building which has been standing since the 1700s to be pulled down?
What an idiot. There is nothing else to call you. You really are a fool, if you wrote that comment expecting support.
Munkstar wrote:
Its served its time, pull it down, or ask Dave Wells.
Well theres a suggestion worth note of.
I agree with Nighthawk.
You really are an idiot.
Is it not bad enough that every shred of national identity,tradition and culture is being consistently WIPED out by govt powers that be (spiralling immigration, uncontrollable development of rural/areas of historical interest,rising levels of crime as a result of broken families on the rise etc etc), and you want this building which has been standing since the 1700s to be pulled down?
What an idiot. There is nothing else to call you. You really are a fool, if you wrote that comment expecting support.
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