East Hampshire District Council halts sale of Penns Place

East Hampshire District Council has decided to suspend the sale of Penns Place, its former 3.77-acre headquarters in Petersfield. The decision comes due to uncertainties surrounding Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and a government review regarding the potential division of East Hampshire.

Council officials stated that while they received a “wide range of bids” for the site, the prospect of the assets being transferred to a future unitary authority makes any current sale decision irresponsible. The council noted that a unitary authority would manage a broader range of services, necessitating a deferral until the local government structure is finalized.

Prospective bidders, including Dan and Sharon Destrecroix, who proposed transforming the site into ‘The Futures Campus CIC’, expressed disappointment regarding the delay. Local officials, including Town Mayor Cllr Jamie Matthews, have also raised concerns regarding the 43,000-square-foot property, which has remained vacant since early 2024.