_Historic Headley Court Estate in Surrey to be sold : outstanding development opportunity

In the 1940s the Trust leased Headley Court to the Air Ministry at a modest rent to set-up as a rehabilitation centre for injured RAF personnel from World War Two.

Since then the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC), which aims to return all those service personnel injured or seriously ill to full fitness, has been expanded and developed.

The sale follows the announcement in July 2014 that the MOD will be relocating in 2018 from Headley Court to the Stanford Hall Estate near Loughborough.

Headley Court totals 82 acres (33 hectares) and includes an attractive Grade II Listed 19th Century mansion with views across the surrounding landscape.

Beyond the mansion are purpose built facilities providing a range of accommodation, namely offices, administrative space, extensive sporting facilities, a rehabilitation complex and residential housing.

Overall there are 133 bedrooms in the staff accommodation and 56 semi-detached and 8 detached residential properties. The encompassing grounds comprise both formal and informal landscaped gardens. The site also includes a tennis court, surrounding woodland areas, sports fields and parking for more than 400 vehicles.

Air Vice Marshal Anthony J Stables, the chairman of the Headley Court Charity, said: “For almost 70 years the medical rehabilitation facility at Headley Court has cared for wounded, injured and sick members of the Armed Forces and it holds a very special place in many peoples’ hearts."

Mindful of the environment and the community, since 2015, the Trustees have been in close dialogue with the Mole Valley District Council in consideration of potential uses for the site.

There is scope for the following range of uses, subject to the necessary consents: Continued C2 (Residential Institution) Use, Residential development. (C3), Retirement/Assisted Living (C2/C3), Education (D1/C2), and Hotel (C1). The attractive Manor House would be suitable for conversion to a residential use. 

Emma Cleugh, partner at Knight Frank handling the sale for Headley Court Charity said: “We are privileged to be acting on behalf of the Charity for the sale of this incredibly important property. Our aim is to do the very best for the Headley Court Charity as the DMRC moves forward in its relocation, thus allowing the Charity to continue and expand its good work, but in a different way.

“Headley Court has a range of impressive attributes and is in a superb location. We expect to see interest from UK and overseas purchasers including private individuals, institutions, hotel and retirement housing operators, and developers. We will be actively marketing the property over the coming months with the aim to draw interest to a conclusion later this year.”

Headley Court is available as a whole or in lots through Knight Frank.