The site of a planned 45-bedroom nursing home in Gilford has been put up on the market.
The proposed development was recently given planning approval by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
Now the site at Hunters Hill House has been advertised for sale.
Marketed as “development land”, offers are being sought in the region of £500,000.
The facility – which had been given the go-ahead only recently – had been for a specialist home for the elderly mentally infirm.
In terms of location, the site as being described as a “10 minutes walk” from Gilford village”, where “a range of services are provided, including a health centre, chemist, post office and convenience shops, with Craigavon Hospital only a 10 minute drive away. The site is also equidistant from Portadown, Banbridge and Lurgan with approximately five miles to each. It is also only 10 minutes drive from both the M1 and the A1 providing vital links countrywide”.
The agents tasked with finding a buyer is Ulster Property Sales, of Ballynahinch.
In terms of the development which had been approved, they advise: “Hunters Hill House has been designed to offer a rural dwelling for residents searching for a peaceful home away from urban life. Centred around a quiet courtyard the development is created from a cluster of attractive domestic scaled, piched roof elements which house the appropriate accommodation.”
The design centred around a “secure courtyard”, which “can be accessed from a supervised glazed corridor which directly surrounds over half of the building. The remainder of the courtyard is surrounded by 10 ground floor bedrooms which offer residents direct access should their health condition permit it. Nurses stations are carefully located around the floor plan to provide complete supervision”.
There was also room for expansion.
“The building has been sited to allow for future development as demand requires. Two possible expansion phases – subject to relevant planning approvals – are identified.
“Phase 1 – This proposal will allow for a further approximate 14 bedrooms bringing the total bedrooms up to a possible 59.
“Phase 2 – This proposal will allow for a further approximate 10-11 bedrooms. On the assumption that this expansion follows Phase 1, the total number of bedrooms has the potential to increase from 59 to 69-70.”
The complete site is offered to the market as straight sale, but “various leasehold options are also available”.
The agent adds: “This development opportunity offers an extraordinary opportunity to develop a high quality care home in this quiet, yet central location.”
