THE future of one of Darlington's most prominent properties is to be decided after it was put up for sale at more than £400,000.

Within two weeks of going up for sale, The Gatehouse, in the Haughton area, had attracted more than 80 inquiries.

The Victorian building, in half an acre of grounds on the corner of Barmpton Lane and Whinfield Road, was most recently a nursing home, but has stood empty for the past two years.

Darlington Borough Council has indicated it would look favourably at a conversion of the building into apartments.

But Julie Wallin, director of agents Carver Commercial, said that while the site could be developed, they had been contacted by a large number of people interested in converting the property back into a house, as it was originally.

"The residential property market has definitely slowed down in recent weeks but the commercial market remains buoyant, especially for exceptional properties such as The Gatehouse," she said.

"It is on a prominent site on a major road route and, consequently, is a landmark, known by people outside the local community as well as within." Among its former occupiers was Arthur Feetham, a prominent local solicitor and one-time president of Haughton cricket and Darlington rugby clubs.

When he died, he left the rugby club 20 acres of land, which was eventually sold for £3m.

Offers of more than £400,000 are invited for The Gatehouse and must be made by November 5.