Historic manor house for sale at £1.5m

The Grade II listed property has been put on the private market as it is ‘too costly’ for Guildford Borough Council to modernise

A historic manor house in East Horsley is up for sale for £1.5m after falling into a state of disrepair.

Old Manor House on Ockham Road South, was built around 1800 then rebuilt in 1868 by the Lovelace Estate.

The Grade II listed property has been put on the private market as it is "too costly" for Guildford Borough Council (GBC) to modernise, council documents say.

GBC bought the property in March 1971 and then rented it out as eight individual flats for people of retirement age.

Due to extensive damp penetration, fungus has spread across the entire ground floor walls, ceilings, floors and staircases

Due to extensive damp penetration, fungus has spread across the entire ground floor walls, ceilings, floors and staircases.

Lead councillor for finance and property, Richard Lucas, said: “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.”

GBC is seeking to sell £50m of its assets

Councillors agreed it would not be cost effective for GBC to bring the historic building up to standard in an executive meeting.

Getting rid of the house would also help the council's plan to sell £50m of its assets across the next three years as part of its financial recovery plan.

Councillor Lucas added: “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.”