200-year-old historic Penshaw House nearing sale to new ‘private owner’

An historic house is on the verge of being sold by Sunderland city council and and converted into a private residence and ‘ancillary business accommodation’.
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The Grade II-listed Penshaw House is almost 200 years old and sits beside a new multi-million pound development of 72 apartments, Penshaw Gardens, where work is underway with Vistry Partnerships North East the main contractor for housing association Gentoo Group.

The identity of the buyer has not yet been confirmed, but the Echo understands that it is neither Vistry nor Gentoo.

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The price has not been revealed either. However, the Station Road building had been on sale with estate agents Bradley Hall with a guide price of £250,000, sitting on 1.63 acres of land.

Sunderland City Council is on the verge of selling the historic Penshaw House.Sunderland City Council is on the verge of selling the historic Penshaw House.
Sunderland City Council is on the verge of selling the historic Penshaw House.

Protesters who failed in their bid to halt the building of Penshaw Gardens had also expressed concerns about Penshaw House.

Before permission was granted to build the new housing, a design and access statement said their construction would be “kept well away from Penshaw House” with designs taking account of its Grade II-listed status.

The property was built in around 1830 and is a two-storey, three-bay, sandstone building. It had previously been used by the council as a Social Services assessment centre.

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The house has not been lived in for many years. According to Sitelines, which records, historic buildings, former residents include Nathaniel Hindhaugh, a colliery agent for Lord Londonderry in 1851. Ten years later John Allison, a corn manufacturer, was the occupier.

A new housing development is being built around the Grade II-listed Penshaw House.A new housing development is being built around the Grade II-listed Penshaw House.
A new housing development is being built around the Grade II-listed Penshaw House.

The last private resident was called George Horner. After Mr Horner moved out, the house then became “a nursery for children born out of wedlock”, then in 1970 a remand home.

Sunderland City Council is confident for the future of the building.

A council statement said: “As a city council and in line with our continued drive for a more dynamic, healthy and vibrant Sunderland, we have an ongoing policy of land and property disposals and acquisitions.

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Sunderland City Council is on the verge of selling the historic Penshaw House.Sunderland City Council is on the verge of selling the historic Penshaw House.
Sunderland City Council is on the verge of selling the historic Penshaw House.
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“Following a period of marketing and a competitive bidding process, the council has accepted an offer for the sale of Penshaw House from a private owner.

“The sale has not yet completed, but the purchaser intends to use the Grade II listed property as a private residence and ancillary business accommodation.”