A FORMER youth hostel and Environmental Studies Centre in Abergavenny has been put up for sale by its owners, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Mulberry House in Pen-y-Pound sits in approximately 1.37 acres of land and is a substantial building comprising a late eighteenth century house and a large 1950s extension.

The Grade II Listed building was originally a convent run by the Order of St Michael before it was acquired by the Inner London Education Authority and used as a field study centre for inner city children for over 30 years.

The ownership of the building was then transferred to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in 1990 following the abolition of the ILEA.

In 2008 it became home to the Ty'r Morwydd Environmental Study Centre, which opened up a hostel as part of its residential courses.

But the centre closed its doors on Friday, March 30 this year, in a move that was described 'as surprisingly sudden'.

At the time the building was sub-let to one umbrella organisation made up of three companies and a charity and together they employed 15 people. Operating out of Mulberry House was the Ty'r Morwydd Environmental Studies Centre (both a registered charity and a company), Mulberry House (a conference centre) and Mulberry House Hostel (a Youth Hostel Association franchise).

However after the organisation went into liquidation in March, the appointed receiver disclaimed the lease on the building.

Since then the building's owner has been deliberating about what to do with it and in a report to cabinet members of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea authority it was recommended that selling the building was the best option.

The report stated: "The property has produced income in the past but due to the very poor condition of the property it is acknowledged that significant capital investment will be required to bring the property up to a marketable condition as well as compliant with current Building Regulations, prior to any marketing.

"Given the location and likely tenant demand we anticipate a low level return would be generated from leasing the property in comparison to the capital investment required.

"The layout of the property does not lend itself to letting, as the only viable use would be a form of hostel or field study centre with ancillary accommodation.

"To meet current legislation and statutory requirements significant capital investment is required."

The report concluded that the freehold sale of the premises would relieve the pressure on the council by rationalising vacant buildings that are not required for operational purposes and have a limited ability to provide a significant income stream.

Cabinet members resolved to approve the sale of Mulberry House on the open market following the lifting of the restriction that required the authority to offer the building to other London councils before putting it up for sale.

The building is being marketed by Miles Young & Co in Abergavenny and, with no guide price being suggested, offers are being invited for consideration by December 7.