Isle of Thorns is up for sale

---

Estate agents Strutt and Parker have been instructed by the University to handle the sale of its training and conference centre at the Isle of Thorns, situated in extensive grounds on the edge of the Ashdown Forest.

The University's links with the estate at Chelwood Gate go back to 1964, when it was used for courses, sporting activities and recreation. From 1970 the University held the property on a 21-year lease from the Manor Charitable Trust until it acquired the freehold in 1992.

"The University has been associated with the estate for many years and Council's decision to sell was taken after careful consideration," said Charles Dudley, Director of Student Services.

"It will be sad to see it go, but internal use has diminished and funds are required to meet legislative requirements and customer expectations. The income generated from the sale will then be available for projects on campus."

The Isle of Thorns was conceived and laid out in the 1920s as a centre offering adventure and holidays in the country for young people from the London area.

In addition to the 46-bedroom training centre, which was built in the 1960s, the 51.5 acres of grounds contain a lecture hall, summer camp, play barn, changing rooms and pavilion, and an obsolete swimming pool complex. The complex also offers sports grounds, a camping field, amenity woodland and a lake.

Tim Page Ratcliff, from Strutt and Parker's Lewes office, said: "The sale has attracted early interest from prospective buyers looking for all types of development - leisure, conference and training opportunities."

The property is to be sold by informal tender and the closing date for offers is today (Friday).

• In a separate development, the University has also put a Brighton public house, the Sea House, on the market. Estate agent Graves Jenkins is asking for offers in the region of £250,000 for the seafront property, which is part of the Kings Road site that the University acquired in 1995 to build a residence for postgraduate students. A spokesman from the firm said: "We expect to receive plenty of enquiries from owner occupiers, developers and investors."