The Old School House

This partially renovated, former Outdoor Education Centre is believed to have been constructed circa 1850, and was closed as centre in 2011. The building benefits from a change of use to residential status which was approved in 2015 (Durham County Council application reference number DM/15/02055/FPA ).

The building could be internally configured to suit the needs of the new owner, although significant renovation and modernisation works have taken place to date, the layout of the building is still as it was when in use an outdoor education centre. The building is single storey with vaulted ceilings which could provide further floor space if a mezzanine floor were to be added. The property currently features 3 huge reception rooms, 2 of which were the former dormitories and a 3rd which would have been a classroom and is now configured as large living/dining room. In between the Western dormitory and living room you will find the newly fitted kitchen, meaning any future owner could live in the property whilst completing the renovation. Adjacent to each of the former dormitories is a staff accommodation block of approximate equal size and both consisting of 4 small rooms, including a WC, former shower room and bedrooms. At opposite ends of the building there is a former WC and shower block which would have been used by the students.

Summary of renovation works completed to date:

• Installation of radiators in both former dormitories
• Installation of LPG tank and new Worcester system boiler. The boiler is located within a built-in storage room off the Western dormitory, whilst the LPG tank is located externally to the North of the building
• Partly rewired
• Western Dormitory: Installation of 4-inch insulated plasterboard, plastering, new sockets and light fittings
• Kitchen: Installation of 4-inch insulated plasterboard, plastering, newly fitted kitchen, integrated dishwasher, washing machine, fridge freezer, microwave, electric oven and induction hub, spotlights and vinyl flooring
• Living/Dining Room: Installation of log burner, stripped back to original wooden flooring and stripped back original ceiling beams.

Externally

The property is situated on a large plot measuring approximately 0.75 acres. A large amount of the external area is currently tarmacked however the area to the Southern boundary is laid to lawn and the whole of the external area could be re landscaped to create several different garden areas to suit the new owners need. Scope for parking is vast.

Notes

It is understood that Durham County Council have a clawback in place of 80% of profits if any additional dwellings that are built on the land for a period of 80 years beginning 2015.

Buyer's Auction Fees (payable immediately on winning the auction)

1. A reservation fee of 2% +VAT of the purchase price (subject to a minimum of £5,000 +VAT) will be payable by the buyer at the point of winning the auction, this fee is non-refundable should the buyer not exchange contracts within 20 working days. No part of this fee contributes to the purchase price of the property. The selling agent and auction technology platform will take their fees from this amount.

Deposit (payable on contract exchange)

1. A deposit of 10% of the purchase price, this will be payable via the buyer's Solicitor to the seller's Solicitor on the day of contract exchange, to be held as part payment towards the purchase price and will be non-refundable should the buyer withdraw from the purchase.

Contributions to seller's legal fees (payable on the day of completion)

1. £28.00 towards the Seller’s cost of obtaining Official Copy Entries and Official Plan and any other title documents payable to Hardings Solicitors on the date of completion.
2. £429.02 towards the Seller’s cost of obtaining any search relating to the Lot, payable to Hardings Solicitors on the date of completion.
3. £650 + VAT as contribution to the sellers’ legal costs of preparing the legal pack, this will be payable to the sellers' Solicitors and will be non-refundable should the buyer withdraw from the purchase.
4. £350.00 as a contribution towards the cost of the Seller obtaining the Deed of Covenant from Durham County Council, payable to Hardings Solicitors on the date of completion.
5. £175+ VAT to cover the cost of the transfer incurred by the sellers, payable to Hardings Solicitors on the date of completion.