A NEW buyer is being sought to restore and convert the historic Standish House.

The aim is for the historic site northeast of Stonehouse to be transformed and preserved, in keeping with Historic England’s guidelines and the district’s planning policies.

It could be used as a private residence, hotel, care home, residential college, health facility public house, or similar.

Its site extends to 37 acres and comprises a building footprint of over 80,000 sq ft together with historic gardens, woodland and some agricultural land.

The house became a hospital during the First World War, and it was expanded over the years with buildings of various styles, some with historic and architectural importance.

Two of the buildings are Grade II listed; the main house and stables which were built in 1830.

Standish Hospital closed in 2004 and despite several initiatives to bring the property back into use, it has remained empty and is now in a dilapidated state.

Stroud News and Journal:

Councillor Simon Pickering, chair of Stroud District Council’s environment committee, said: “Our hope, and that of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), is that an individual or organisation comes forward to refurbish, restore and convert the listed buildings.

“This would ensure that this important site and buildings are conserved appropriately.

“There is widespread agreement that the site and the buildings are in dire need of attention and our aim is to ensure that restoration can be achieved sympathetically."

Ben O’Connor, area manager at the HCA, said: “Standish House is a superb opportunity to refurbish and restore a substantial property offering a range of historic and more recent buildings in a fabulous parkland setting.

“In accordance with Historic England’s Guidance, we are marketing the site to find a single purchaser in the first instance and would invite all interested parties to make contact with our agents Bilfinger GVA.”

For more information visit standish.gva.co.uk or contact Bilfinger GVA direct on 0117 988 5213.