ONE of the city of Newport’s grandest historic houses sold prior to going to auction.

Imposing Rothbury House, a detached 19th-century property once a majestic private house and latterly a nursing home until it closed five years ago, sold through Paul Fosh Auctions for an undisclosed sum.

The guide price for the Jacobean style property was £225,000. Located in prestigious Stow Park Circle and with planning consent for conversion to apartments, the historic building is believed to have sold pre auction for more than £300,000.

The double bay fronted, grade II listed house, built in about 1880, with an impressive collection of rooms arranged over three floors together with two accesses with the principal driveway leading to a main parking area and a detached coach houses and gardens, created keen interest from buyers.

Paul Fosh, owner of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “Houses such as this seldom come on the market but when they do they are sure to create a great deal of interest as The Rothbury on Stow Park Circle did on this occasion.”

Planning permission, which was granted in March last year, would allow for the conversion of the former nursing home to a total of seven residential units made up of two, three bedroom apartments and also two, one bedroom apartments in the main house and the conversion to residential of the two coach houses. The Rothbury could also be returned to a majestic and impressive single home or other uses subject to planning.

For details of the next Paul Fosh auction sale, to be held at the Park Inn Hotel, Circle Way East, Llanedyrn, Cardiff, on Thursday, October 23, starting at 5pm, visit www.paulfoshauctions.com