One of the most historic homes in Harrogate is to be auctioned next month.
Pineheath, which was built on Cornwall Road in the 1890s, was formerly the home of Indian shipping magnate Sir Dhunjibhoy Bomanji and Lady Frainy Bomanji.
But the house, which has a guide price of £3.5 million, has been derelict for many years and is not fit for viewing.
The property, which has planning permission to be converted into 12 flats, will go under the hammer in an online auction on June 8 at 3pm.
The lot includes the adjoining former chauffeur’s cottage, which has been refurbished into a pair of semi-detached coach houses that yield rent of £51,000 a year.
Pineheath. Pic: FSS
A 0.5 acre parcel of land next to the site, believed to be the last undeveloped parcel on the Duchy estate, is being auctioned as a separate lot with a guide price of £1.85 million.
Estate agent FSS, which began advertising the properties and land today, described Pineheath as ‘a truly unique opportunity’.
FSS partner Simon Croft said Pineheath’s private owner was keen for someone to redevelop the site. He added:
“It’s one of the most historic properties in prime Harrogate and it’s a shame that it’s become an eyesore on the street.
“The current owner has had a go with Harrogate planning department and has taken a pragmatic view that he’s probably not going to get anywhere and so he will let someone else take up the baton.
“The main house is derelict and unsafe. There are holes in the roof and the floors have rotted through. Any buyer would have to understand they would have some serious refurbishment work to take on or chance their arm by putting in a fresh planning application.”
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Liz Truss breezes into Harrogate on campaign trail
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss breezed into Harrogate today as part of her campaign to be the next Prime Minister.
Local Conservative Party members paid £10 to take part in an Ask Liz event at a private house on the Duchy estate. Attendees didn’t receive the address until this morning.
Those who arrived early made the most of the sunshine by sitting on a wall in front of the property, many dressed in their finest attire.
One woman said Ms Truss had “come across very well” at a recent hustings in Leeds, another said she was there to “see what she’s got to say”.
And there were mutterings that there was no support from MPs in the district, including Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones and Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith. Both are backing rival leadership candidate Rishi Sunak, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Instead Alec Shelbrooke, MP for Elmet and Rothwell, hosted Ms Truss’s visit. He could be seen with other prominent members of the party waiting at the large black metal gates to greet Ms Truss.
Graham Swift thanks people for attending.
Harrogate Borough Council deputy leader Graham Swift, who the house is believed to belong to, was also spotted at the event.
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Stickers and signs emblazoned with the words ‘In Liz we Truss’ and ‘Liz for Leader’ were given out to visitors, as they were directed to a garden at the back of the house.
The press weren’t invited to attend, however the Stray Ferret captured a video of Ms Truss arriving in a black Range Rover, before she was whisked into the property by security, which included the Metropolitan Police.
Although the event was billed for 90 minutes, Ms Truss left after about 30 minutes and then made a fleeting visit to Harrogate town centre.
Liz Truss leaving the venue with her security entourage.
After a walk up Montpellier Parade, she was shown the sights of the Stray and the town’s war memorial, which was surrounded by people enjoying the 25 degree heat.
From there, the leadership hopeful headed into Bettys Tea Rooms armed with her entourage, before swiftly leaving to head down Parliament Street.
Passing the queue at Bettys. Pic: The Stray Ferret
With that she was gone on to the next leg of her campaign to defeat Sunak when party members vote to choose the next leader.
The result of the race to replace Boris Johnson will be announced on September 5.