Old council HQ for sale for fifth time in 12 years

In August 2023, Cornwall Council approved plans to convert Old County Hall into student accommodation

An historic building in Truro has been listed for sale for the fifth time in 12 years.

Old County Hall on Station Road was the headquarters for Cornwall County Council between 1912 and 1966, when the council moved to its new offices, New County Hall/Lys Kernow.

Since then the Grade II listed hall has changed hands several times and owners have been granted planning permission for a hotel and spa, apartments and for student accommodation.

The Neo-Georgian building and grounds is on the market for more than £2.6m, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Following the implementation of the Local Government Act 1888, which established councils in every county, it became necessary to find a meeting place for Cornwall County Council.

The council chose to meet in Truro rather than Bodmin’s Shire Hall, which had been used as the venue for the county’s main court.

Cornwall County Council meetings were initially held at the Municipal Buildings in Truro, but council leaders decided there should be a purpose-built county hall.

Fields near the city’s railway station were bought and County Hall – which gained the Old prefix when the council moved to its new Brutalist-style building – was built between 1910 and 1912 to a design by Thomas Ball Silcock.