Some of the most exclusive homes in Shropshire are to be revealed this month, on the country retreat famous for being the home of Robert Clive, or Clive of India.
The homes are at Clive Park near Market Drayton in a setting steeped in history - the estate was formerly part of Styche Hall.
The three chic and elegant houses and six apartments which have been beautifully created out of the former early Georgian stable block. They will be officially unveiled at an opening ceremony on September 16.
Born in 1725 Robert Clive grew up at the hall and was educated locally. His famous stunt while at school was climbing the tower of Market Drayton church.
He was sent to India to work with the East India Company and, as a statesman and general, established the military supremacy of the company in southern India and Bengal. He is widely regarded as the key figure in the establishment of British Inida, a position which brought him considerable wealth.
Some of this wealth was spent remodelling Styche Hall and also building the stable block with no expense spared.
This home for the horses must surely have been one of the most glamorous outbuildings ever to be seen, and now Alexandra Countryside Developments of Nantwich has cleverly transformed the Grade II building into properties.
Prices for the two bedroomed apartments range from £285,000 to £335,000, while the houses are priced from £495,000 to £645,000 (Details correct at time of publication - September 2006).
Clive Park is being sold through Savills of Hall Court, Telford and Cheshire Lamont of Nantwich Court, Nantwich.
Tony Morris-Eyton of Savills said: “Clive of India remodelled the hall and built this in 1760. It was built almost without regard to cost. This would have been at the height of his wealth. The walls are 18 inch thick and the bricks were made from clay dug out of what is now a lake. Money was no object because he was the Bill Gates of the time.”
The unveiling of the converted former stable block comes during the 200th anniversary year of Robert Clive’s death.
Tony said: “The three houses have got their own character and the apartments are smaller, but different. They are lovely and pretty special.”
The stable block had previously been converted into a nursing home until it closed down and fell into a sad state of disrepair.
It is now unrecognisable compared to what it was when the directors of Alexandra Countryside Developments, Rob Hughes and Charles Grant, first came across it three years ago. They are proud of what they have achieved. All traces of its life as a nursing home have gone, apart from carefully preserved original features.
The building was completely gutted. The interior rooms have been reconfigured and rebuilt to incorporate the comforts of modern day living. These include luxury kitchens, bathrooms and egg and dart cornicings.
The houses have double garages and gardens, while the apartments have a car port parking space plus a further designated parking space. Two of the ground floor apartments have terraces/garden areas and all home owners can use the communal gardens.
Lakeside House (£645,000) has a drawing room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, cloakroom, master bedroom suite, guest bedroom suite, two further bedrooms and a family bathroo.
Arcot House (£545,000) has a drawing room, dining room, kitchen breakfast room, utility, cloakroom, four bedrooms and a family bathroom. Plassey House (£495,000) has a drawing room, dining room, kitchen breakfast room, utility room, rear porch, cloakroom, bedroom one with en suite shower room, two further bedrooms and a bathroom.
The houses are generously sized, light and airy with high ceilings and are beautifully finished. Their design and layout makes the most of the traditional facade mixed with a modern interior with character features.
The six apartments are light and airy and two have lakeside views. As well as quality kitchens and designer bathrooms they have either a bathroom or shower room en suite. All apartments have fitted oak flooring to the kitchen living areas.
Alexandra Countryside Developments concentrates on developing in Shropshire and the surrounding area. Its builders first arrived on site in January 2005. The finishing touches were being done last month.
The firm had used the very best of materials in the conversion and had insisted on high quality bathrooms and kitchens, said Rob, who has been in property development for 25 years.
He said: “The situation couldn’t be better. Clive Park lies in what would have been the parkland setting. We have also completely dredged and rebanked the lake and restored the dovecote.”
Gates have also been replaced using a design put forward by conservation experts and the exterior grounds have been landscaped.
Charles Grant said: “We’re absolutely delighted with it. There were a lot of things to take into account; preserving the heritage; preserving the history and I think we have preserved a lot of the character, and to ensure that the fixtures and fittings were top quality.”
- Further details on the properties are available from Savills on 01952 239500 or Cheshire Lamont on 01270 624441.
- Details correct at time of publication - September 2006
By Cathy Stanworth
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