Laurel Hill House and site sold to a ‘private buyer’

Laurel Hill House, at Laurel Hill Road, was snapped up by a private buyer following a prestigious public auction in London, it has emerged.

At a sale in London by commercial and residential property company Lambert Smith Hampton in December the property failed to meet its reserve price.

The 4.05 acre site - owned by the Ministry of Defence and operated as an Army camp for many years - has stunning views overlooking the River Bann and Coleraine town centre and was given a guide price of £190,000.

Jago Bret, a Director at joint agents, GVA Grimley, Belfast, revealed: “The property was sold post auction to a private buyer.

“The sale completed back in March but I am afraid I cannot release the sale price as this is confidential. Not sure what the purchaser’s plans are.”

At 5,300 sq ft, Laurel Hill House was built in 1843 and was designed by architect Charles Lanyon. It is a Class B listed property.

The MoD used it principally as an activity centre with ancillary function rooms and recreational space together with showers and toilets.

The Granary, some 3,000 sq. ft to the south of the main house, is a listed B+ building.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation made an application for outline planning last September for 12 three, four and five bedroom houses and four apartments.