A former primary school near Heathfield and the A21 has been sold at auction for over £650k after a bidding war at Clive Emson Auctioneers sale. The school, which was Etchingham Primary School in Burgh Hill, was sold for a final price of £662,000, exceeding the freehold guide price by more than £200k.
The school, which was offered under instructions from East Sussex County Council, is not far from the village of Etchingham and the A265. The school, which is a detached part single-storey and part two-storey building, was identified as “suitable for development” if necessary consents are given.
In the heart of High Weald, Senior Auction Appraiser and Auctioneer Richard Payne said the sale was a “great outcome for the vendor”. Mr Payne said: “This one really flew. Sustained bidding drove up the price, resulting in a great outcome for the vendor, while our purchaser has acquired a property with huge potential.”
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He continued: “We had long considered this substantial detached property, part single-storey, part two-storey, suitable for development, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable, and the competitive bidding showed others agreed.”
As well as the school site, which was left empty when the primary school moved to a bigger site in 2015, a separate lot which formed the former school’s parking area opposite the building was also sold. This car park was sold for £72k which was three times more than the freehold price.
As well as ample parking spaces, the lot has a separate entrance and exit and has potential for “future development” if consents are obtained. Although both sites have now been purchased, there is yet to be any clarification or plans on what they may be developed into.