Former Derby children’s home sold off for almost £1m
A 19th century former council office is set for an ‘exciting’ overhaul by a private care company, after the building was sold at auction for more than double its guide price.
Ashtree House on Osmaston Road was declared surplus to requirements by Derby City Council in 2024, after a fire at a neighbouring property rendered it “unsafe for continuing use” as key site for the authority’s children’s services department, who used the building as a dedicated hub for supervised family visits.
The property has now been snapped up for £920,000 by specialist city care provider Godfrey Care, which already manages several residential homes across the region – after the building was originally advertised at £450,000 by auctioneers Barnard Marcus.
The firm, which provides specialist residential care services for people with complex needs, says Ashtree House will form art of its ongoing development plans, with a “bespoke” transformation now planned for the building.
“Ashtree House will be transformed through a bespoke design and specification tailored to the individual needs of each person we support,” said Andy Barnes, co-chief executive at Godfrey Care.
“The planning, design and construction of our services are based on genuine co-production with local authorities, commissioners, healthcare professionals, families and the people we support. We are excited to bring this collaborative approach to the redevelopment of Ashtree House.”
The site includes a substantial Queen Anne Revival house designed in 1896 by acclaimed local architect Percy Heylin Currey as a vicarage for St. Luke’s Church. The land was donated by Sir Henry Bemrose, a prominent Derby philanthropist and Member of Parliament.
Throughout the 20th century, the building adapted to various purposes, including as a Diocesan Training College nursery in the 1930s before its long-standing use as a centre for the Council’s family support services.
Derby City Council says its decision to sell the historic property followed a rigorous financial assessment which determined that a sale would be the most effective way to preserve the building’s future while delivering value for the city.
“Ashtree House has a long and proud history of service, but as our requirements for modern office and service space evolve, it is essential that we make the best use of our buildings and land,” said Councillor Kathy Kozlowski, cabinet member for governance and finance.
“The capital receipt provides a significant boost to our finances, allowing us to protect and reinvest in the essential services that our residents rely on most. It also paves the way for a private developer to breathe new life into a building that has stood empty, in a way that the Council simply could not afford to do.”
