A novel development application from the UK
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2025 12:11 pm
You have to hand it to them, "we need to redevelop this property and build three more because Adele says it's haunted" is certainly a unique proposal.
Adele blighted sale of former West Sussex home by calling it ‘scary’, says vendor
It may seem a bit of harmless fun, but not for the owner, who claims the 10-bedroom home set in almost 3 hectares (7.4 acres) of land near the village of Partridge Green is unsaleable in its current state.
The planning statement says the Grade II-listed house is surrounded by grounds with “roaming deer, mature oak, cedar, Scots pine and lime trees” and views towards the South Downs.
It was built at the start of the 20th century and a ballroom was added in 1940. In the 1970s it was converted into the “convent of the visitation” and the ballroom was converted into a chapel.
The current owner bought it in 2003 and refurbished it, turning the ballroom/chapel into a family kitchen. It now has a cinema room, snooker room, a “leisure complex” with a swimming pool, tennis court and a summer house.
Adele rented it for six months after the owner moved out. But the planning statement says: “Unfortunately, during an interview on CBS, Adele remarked that she believed the house to be haunted. This comment negatively impacted future marketing efforts and continues to affect the property’s reputation to this day.”
It adds: “Adele … blighted the property saying it is haunted”, continuing: “The applicant has actively tried to sell the property for about 14 years. Despite the property being consistently marketed by top agents, no offers have been forthcoming.
“Full marketing efforts were made, including brochures, professional photography, advertising in Country Life, national PR campaigns and exposure on all major property portals.
“The only offer received over the years was in August 2020, but the prospective buyer withdrew after learning about the property’s supposed haunted status.”
The owner is now seeking permission to transform the mansion and a garage into three houses and a cottage.
Source