Housebuilder acquires former council offices in Penrith

Westmorland and Furness Council has sold the grade two-listed Mansion House to Atkinson Homes, who will now commence building surveys to craft the right proposals for repurposing the 14,100 sq ft office complex.

Mansion House was built in 1750 and has been owned by the ruling local authority since 1919. It was most recently the offices for Eden Council, which moved to Voreda House in 2024 after the conclusion of am £8.3m refurbishment.

Made up of a central building with an east and west wing, Mansion House stretches across three floors. At the front of the building is a 37-bay car park.

Walton Goodland acted for Westmorland and Furness Council on the deal. The sale price was not disclosed.

“Mansion House has long been an important part of Penrith’s architectural heritage, so I am pleased to see it entering a new chapter,” said Cllr Andrew Jarvis, cabinet member for finance.

He added later: “This decision reflects our commitment to making best use of council assets, ensuring that buildings no longer required for operational purposes can be utilised in a different way while also contributing financially to improvements elsewhere.

“It is encouraging that this historic building will now have a sustainable future.”

Westmorland and Furness Council’s push to right-size its estate will also discussions around Penrith Town Hall. The future of the grade two-listed building will be the subject of a debate at July’s council cabinet meeting.

Regarding Mansion House, Atkinson Homes’ head of legal and land, Richard Thorburn, said the housebuilder was “delighted” to have purchased the property.

“Our focus will be on carefully exploring viable options that respect the building’s heritage while ensuring it can be brought back into sustainable use,” Thorburn said.

“As a local developer, we understand how important Mansion House is to the town, and we look forward to bringing forward proposals that preserve its character and deliver long term benefits for Penrith.

“Potential options could include partnering with a local provider to deliver affordable housing, but building assessments will need to be carried out before any final plans can be shared publicly.”

Atkinson Homes has its office in Penrith and has been developing residential projects for more than 40 years. It has a series of applications currently going through the planning process, including proposals for 53 homes in Penrith, 43 in Greystoke, and 129 in Keswick.