A HISTORIC landmark has been put up for sale with the aim of it being restored and brought back into use.

The Grade II-listed Friarage Manor House near Marine Crescent on the Headland, Hartlepool, is on the market together with 1.95 acres of adjoining land.

The building and land are available for housing or mixed use such as shops, leisure facilities and offices.

The sale – which is by informal tender - is being handled by Hartlepool Council on behalf of two separate charitable trusts – the Henry Smith Non-Educational Trust, which owns the Manor House, and the Henry Smith Educational Trust, which owns the adjoining land.

The neighbouring Friarage Playing Field is an area of Protected Green Space and is not included in the sale.

Councillor Robbie Payne, chairman of the council’s regeneration services committee, said: “This is an excellent opportunity to acquire this historic site on the Headland, which in turn will achieve the key objective of restoring the Friarage Manor House and bringing it back into use.

“The Council and the Trustees are keen to encourage a high quality, imaginative but sensitive approach to the development of the site which respects the maritime and Christian heritage of the area.

“It is also very important that any new buildings on the adjoining land reflect the scale and character of the other historic buildings in the surrounding area and are sympathetic to the character of the Headland Conservation Area as a whole.

“Grants from other organisations may be available to support the restoration of the Manor House – the Council is very willing to work with prospective purchasers to explore any such opportunities from English Heritage or the Heritage Lottery Fund.”

The Manor House has a total of 2,035 sq ft of internal floor area, split between two floors. It occupies a prominent location half way between the historic St Hilda’s Church and the Heugh Gun Battery, both of which have been enhanced in recent years as part of the ongoing regeneration of the Headland area.

The closing date for receipt of offers is noon on Friday, June 7.

For more information, including the tender offer form, contact the council’s estates team on 01429-523236 or e-mail estates@hartlepool.gov.uk