Old County Hall to become four star luxury hotel

The 122-year-old building is to be turned into a four- star luxury hotel and spa

The sale of Old County Hall in Truro, Cornwall's historic former council headquarters, has been approved.

Subject to planning, the 122-year-old grade II listed building will be sold to local hotelier Nigel Carpenter.

Mr Carpenter said the sale was subject to satisfactory planning consent and that it was "up to Cornwall Council to announce the sum".

Independent councillor for Truro Bert Biscoe claimed the sale would "destroy the city's civic past".

Mr Carpenter, who owns St Michael's Hotel & Spa in Falmouth, said he planned to spend £7.5m to turn the property into a luxury four-star hotel and spa.

He said he hoped The Truro Spa Hotel would open in 2014 creating about 100 jobs.