GBC Puts Mouldy East Horsley Manor House Up for Sale for £1.5 million

Published on: 21 Aug, 2024
Updated on: 24 Aug, 2024

Old Manor House, East Horsley. Photo Clarke Gammon

By Emily Dalton

local democracy reporter

A historic manor house in East Horsley is up for sale for £1.5 million after falling into a state of disrepair. The “uninhabitable” Grade II listed property has been put on the private market as it is “too costly” for Guildford Borough Council (GBC) to modernise, according to council documents.

Old Manor House on Ockham Road South, Leatherhead, was built around 1800, then rebuilt in 1868 by the Lovelace Estate. The grand building is a large, detached house located in a conservation area.

GBC bought the property in March 1971 and then rented it out as eight individual flats for people of retirement age. In its existing use, the 2018/19 book valuation of the property was £1.87 million.

Mould and damp that require attention. Photo Clarke Gammon

But now GBC is asking for a guide price of £1.5m (minimum) for the decaying house. Due to extensive damp penetration, fungus has spread across the entire ground floor walls, ceilings, floors and staircases. Officers noted the house is a liability to the council with the threat of squatters, fly tipping or high insurance premiums.

Cllr Richard Lucas

Lead councillor for Finance and Property Richard Lucas said in a press statement: “We’re keen to see this property back in residential use. Selling Old Manor House on the open market will achieve best value for our residents. Our decision to sell will also prevent the condition of the building worsening and our council incurring future costs.”

Councillors agreed it would not be cost effective for GBC to bring the historic building up to standard in an Executive meeting held on February 22. The property is in need of complete rewiring, replumbing, roof works, internal and external joinery, new floorboards, replastering and new ceilings.

Getting rid of the house would also help GBC on its way to selling £50 million of its assets across the next three years for its financial recovery plan. The council has already agreed to remove Send Hill disused Sand Pit and West Lodge.

GBC claims it is a “highly desirable property” due to its proximity to a local parade of shops whilst being nearby to Horsley railway station.

Cllr Lucas said: “We’ve been advised that the property is generating interest from builders, speculators, and developers. These businesses will be best placed to undertake the necessary refurbishment, repairs, and modernisation to return the property to residential use.”

External consultants advised GBC there is a “strong possibility” the asset sale will create interest from builders, speculators and developers. Council documents said: “The competition created should force a premium price to be paid and will ensure the building is redeveloped and brought back into residential use.”

Advertised on the Clarke Gammon estate agents’ website, the description reads: “The property is in need of complete modernisation and improvement and allows scope for re-development, subject to the gaining of satisfactory planning consent.”

Both the manor house and the wall to the front of it is regarded as a listed building, meaning the structure is considered to be of national importance for its architectural or historic interest. Grade II listed building status means there are planning restrictions in place so the house can only be used for residential purposes.

See also: Council to Sell Grade II Listed Building Beyond Economic Repair

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