Sussex Coast College to put Pyke House up for sale

Sussex Coast College, formerly Hastings College, has been responsible for the educational facility in Upper Lake for more than 30 years.

Back in April the college said Pyke House, a registered charity which must be used for educational purposes, no longer suited its needs.

Last week an official Notice of Intended Sale was published.

The notice says the charity’s trustees intend to dispose of the freehold of the property and are proposing to market the property through agents.

Any representations must be made to Sussex Coast College by Sunday June 30.

Phillip Barnes, head of facilities and health and safety at the college, said: “We are asking anyone who has any objections etc or to log their interest to us on e-mail or in writing.

“We are looking for someone who can take it on and manage it in the correct manner.”

Mr Barnes said he could not reveal how much Pyke House will be on sale for or if the college has received any interest in the facility already.

But Battle Abbey School is known to have shown an early interest in the building.

James Dennett, marketing manager at Battle Abbey School, said: “Sussex Coast College has been in touch with the school with information regarding the property, and the building potentially presents some interesting possibilities.

“This is something we would explore further with Sussex Coast College to investigate the extent of any real opportunity should the site look viable.”

Sussex Coast College stopped hosting residential visits at Pyke House in 2008 and students stopped using the facility in 2010.