A rotting Grade II-listed country home has gone on the market for £400,000 but the new owner will have to spend a lot more than that to restore it.
Blackborough House which extends to over 15,500 square feet, is located in the idyllic location within the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the small hamlet of Blackborough, Devon.
The once extravagant property was built in 1838 for George Francis Wyndham, the 4th Earl of Egremont and was originally designed as an Italianate palace.
Blackborough House (pictured) in Devon has gone on the market for £400,000 but the new owner will have to spend a lot more than that to restore it
The once extravagant property was built in 1838 for George Francis Wyndham, the 4th Earl of Egremont and was originally designed as an Italianate palace
Situated near to the picturesque village of Kentisbeare, it’s within easy reach of a popular primary school, shops, a post office, church, pub, restaurant and has fantastic transport links.
But the 60 room property is now in dire need of renovation and prospective buyers have only until Wednesday 4pm to submit their best and final offers.
The home arranged over four storeys has been regarded as one of Devon’s finest architectural gems over the years.
Constructed from stuccoed brick with stone dressings, the country home features an arched loggia to three sides and has two separate staircases which can be accessed independently
The run-down home has a fascinating history of previous owners.
Blackborough House was first used as a rectory until 1894 and was also a school for local children for some of that time.
In the 1930s it was turned into a homeless shelter run by the council and Church of England before being owned by the Quakers.
The 60 room property is now in dire need of renovation and prospective buyers have only until Wednesday 4pm to submit their best and final offers
Towards the end of the war it was a YHA youth hostel and post war it turned into a car scrapyard by racing driver Ralph Sanders who bought the property in about 1995 and operated a car spare parts business from it.
He was said to have old racing cars parked inside the house.
More recently it’s been used as the filming location for the low budget horror movie In Fear.
This country home is spacious both inside and out. It comes with 10.4 acres of land which offers ample space to roam around in and offers magnificent views
The home arranged over four storeys has been regarded by locals and visitors as one of Devons finest architectural gems throughout the centuries
Constructed from stuccoed brick with stone dressings it features an arched loggia to three sides, has two separate staircases, two former service wings and a central courtyard which was once covered in a glass dome.
According to the vendor’s agent, a prospective buyer previously sought planning permission to convert the property into a 64-bedroom hotel and spa with four linked pavilions and and a further seven detached villas within the grounds.
But locals opposed the planning application in 2018 and it was refused.
Potential purchasers are being advised that they must make their own enquiries if they wish to alter the property via Mid Devon District Council.
According to agents Strutt and Parker a perspective buyer previously sought planning permission to convert the property into a 64-bedroom hotel and spa with four linked pavilions and and a further seven detached villas within the grounds
Blackborough House which extends to over 15,500 square feet, is located in the idyllic location within the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the small hamlet of Blackborough
The property which comes with 10.4 acres of overgrown land is accessible via a right of way with footpaths across the land. It also has parking space for multiple vehicles.
Agent Oliver Custance-Baker said it is impossible to estimate how much will need to be spent on the property to make it habitable.
Although the external walls are fairly sound and some windows boarded up to protect the property from the elements, the roof will need completely replacing and there is no internal lighting.
The property which comes with 10.4 acres of overgrown land is accessible via a right of way with footpaths across the land and has parking space for multiple vehicles
Oliver Custance Baker, from Strutt & Parker, said: ‘Blackborough House is so unique. The chance to restore a house like this means somebody can have a Grade II listed house but with a modern interior.
‘It will be brilliant when it’s done, but it’s finding the right person – it needs a lot of work.
‘This is not a case of rescuing something, it is a complete renovation job, it’s pretty much derelict.
‘It’s impossible to say how much it would cost as different people would do different things with it. It’s obviously a big project but it’s an exciting opportunity.
‘It would need to be somebody who has a passion for property, they’ll need to work with the listed building officer. But someone who understands it and is excited by what they can do there.
‘When it is done you would have a 15,000 sq ft fantastic house in a really good location with great views.’
