Wennington Hall School is a two-storey former country house that was built in the second half of the 19th century to a design by E G Paley, in picturesque Tudor revival style with battlemented elements of sandstone rubble under mostly slate roofs, with a range of mullion, arched and oriel windows. The buildings layout is asymmetric with a large crenellated tower to the rear and a gabled front facade. Inside the house is a staircase hall with a hammerbeam roof, and stained glass. Connected to the main house, there is a stable block that has its own crenellated tower, with the main section of the building constructed in Tudor revival style with wooden beams that span across the ceiling of the central section of the building. The main door remains in its original form, the walls of the grounds still also remain in their original forms. There are also outbuildings in the grounds that continue in a similar vein; some of a later date in addition to more modern facilities.

Approximately 6.82 Hectares (16.85 Acres).

The property is offered freehold, title absolute. The vendor's title is registered at the Land Registry under title No. LAN84494. It is advised that prospective purchasers take their own independent legal advice on any title matters.

Wennington Hall School, which offered both day and boarder schooling falls within the C2 Residential Institutions of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) 1987 (as amended) and Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 Order. This includes residential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding school, residential colleges, or training centres. There is no permitted change of use from C2 to another Use Class but any identified use within Class C2 would be permitted without the need for a change of use planning consent. Wennington Hall School's rural setting is located within designated countryside. Along with its listed status and location within the Wennington conservation area places constraints on the development opportunities, however, both national and local development planning policy would support appropriate changes of use including: a single large dwelling or residential units that met a demonstratable local need, hotel/restaurant, or tourism-led self-catering apartments, subject to planning approval. The school is a Grade II Listed Building and falls within the Wennington Conservation Area. The site is subject to tree preservation orders, including three groups covering woodland area to the north of the hall, two areas of frontage screening and individual specimen trees. Interested parties should consult directly with the Local Planning Authority: Lancaster City Council. Telephone: 01524 582 950. Email: [email protected]

In addition to the purchase price, the purchaser will be liable, upon completion, to make a contribution to the County Council's legal and surveying fees equivalent to 2% of the purchase price, subject to a minimum of £1,500 and shall reimburse the county council for the cost of local searches.

1. All the information provided on our website is for indicative purposes only and interested parties should rely upon the contents of the legal pack and their own due diligence as a prudent bidder.

2. Services
It is understood that all main services are available in the locality. However, interested parties should contact the statutory undertakers for confirmation and to ascertain whether there is sufficient capacity available for their proposals.

3. Roads and Access
Vehicular access to the property is currently available from Lodge Lane which is understood to be an adopted highway. It is however the responsibility of interested parties to satisfy themselves as to the status of these roads.

4. Capital Allowances
This property offers the possible benefits of enabling the purchaser to claim plant and machinery allowances. These likely opportunities to claim capital allowances can be passed onto the purchaser by The County Council upon completion of the sale. Bidders should made direct enquires regarding the same prior to the submitting of any tender returns should they wish to make allowances for the same as part of their bidding process.

5. Tender Returns
Prospective purchasers are invited to submit formal unconditional offers for the whole of the property as shown edged red on the site plan.

Submission of Formal Tender - Formal tenders should be submitted by 12:00pm noon, Friday 29th July 2022.

All offers should be submitted as specified in the return documentation.

Following receipt of offers it is anticipated that further clarification of bids may be necessary before a preferred purchaser is identified.

A deposit of 5% of the purchase price will be payable as part of the tender return. Unsuccessful bidders will have their deposits returned. The sale will be subject to the Department for Education's approval (DfE). An application for consent to dispose of the property has been lodged with the DfE on the 24th May 2022.

6. If you require further information on property related matters please contact:

Gary Jones BSc (Hons) MRICS
Estates Manager
Estates Service
Lancashire County Council
PO Box 100
County Hall
Preston
PR1 0LD
Tel: 01772 533881
Email: [email protected]

7. If your solicitor requires further information on legal related matters please contact:

James Hart
Solicitor
Property, Commercial and Procurement Team
Legal and Democratic Services
Lancashire County Council
PO Box 100,
County Hall
Preston
PR1 0LD
Tel: 01772 536471
Email: [email protected]