A major school site with potential in Eastbourne has come on to the property market.
Eastbourne College has appointed property consultancy Vail Williams to market the St Andrew’s Prep School site in Eastbourne.
It offers a rare opportunity to acquire a substantial and historic educational property in one of the south east’s most desirable coastal locations.
The school is relocating to the college campus and the property will be available from early 2029 – with the college keen to engage with potential buyers now.
The 11.6-acre site, which is located in the Meads area of town, has played an important role in the educational life of the town for generations.
However, following a strategic asset allocation review by Eastbourne College, is now being offered to the market with the price on application.
The College is seeking proposals that secure a positive long term future for this landmark site, with any future use subject to the necessary planning consents.
Vail Williams has been instructed to seek offers to purchase the freehold interest from local, regional and national occupiers, investors and developers, with interest expected from a wide variety of sectors.
Abbey Gough, Head of Special Projects at Eastbourne College, said; “St Andrew’s Prep and Eastbourne College have been part of one charity, Eastbourne College Incorporated since their amalgamation in 2010.
“Having undertaken a master planning exercise in 2024, the board believes the time is right to further unite the two schools on a single campus, with shared access to outstanding facilities, creating a new dedicated and distinct Prep School as part of a single, connected campus for pupils aged four to 18.
“The relocation of the Prep School on to the College campus means that the Meads site will no longer be required and the decision has been made to bring the property to the market.
“The site is expected to be available for vacant possession from early 2029, once pupils have relocated, but we look forward to engaging with interested parties and identifying opportunities over the coming months with the intention of securing a positive future for this landmark site.”
The existing 11.6-acre site comprises a substantial collection of educational and sports facilities, including the main school buildings, boarding house, classrooms, chapel, dining hall, swimming pool, sports hall and cricket pavilion. In total, the property extends to approximately 95,000 sq ft together with the extensive grounds.
There is vehicular access off both Meads Street and Darley Road with a further access point off Dukes Drive, less than 100m from the start of the South Downs Way/South Downs National Park
Eastbourne College emphasised that the relocation plans do not affect pupils currently attending St Andrew’s Prep, with teaching and school operations continuing as normal throughout the transition period ahead of the planned move to the College campus. The intention is that the existing day nursery will remain operational.
Steve Berrett, Partner at Vail Williams, said: “The sale presents a unique opportunity to acquire one of Eastbourne’s most significant educational properties.
“The site combines an exceptional location with substantial buildings and grounds, making it attractive to a wide range of potential purchasers.
“It presents a range of opportunities from retention of the existing academic use, partial redevelopment/re-purposing of the existing buildings or a more comprehensive redevelopment.”
Vail Williams’ full-service property advice includes commercial agency, investment and development advice, building consultancy, property valuation, planning, lease advisory, property asset management, business rates and occupier consultancy.
