The sale of one of Watford’s most historic buildings is complete, with hopes it will be preserved and protected.

Hertfordshire County Council put Little Cassiobury House, in Hempstead Road, up for sale for £750,000 in January last year and it appeared to have been snapped up quickly as it was “sold subject to contract” by that May.

A planning application detailing “like for like” repairs for the Grade II* listed building was even submitted this January, to be acted on once the sale was agreed.

A county council spokesperson has now confirmed that the sale went through in September.

They added: “The new owners are working closely with Historic England and Watford Borough Council’s planning team to develop their plans for the building.”

According to Little Cassiobury CIC, formerly Friends of Little Cassiobury, it is understood that the new owners are aiming to protect the building - based on conversations with Historic England and Watford Borough Council.

Little Cassiobury House. (Image: Little Cassiobury CIC)

However, the group said that it will continue to shadow further developments to make sure it is being restored before making a decision on its own future.

The proposal from January had been refused by Watford Borough Council, which judged that the scope and complexity of the works “go beyond the ordinary periodic renewal and maintenance” covered by the type of permission it was looking for.

It included repairing windows, replacing bricks, repairing timber details, renewing leadwork, and roof repairs.

Inside Little Cassiobury House. (Image: Little Cassiobury CIC)

A new application will need to be submitted and approved before works at the site can be carried out.

Little Cassiobury House is thought to be a dower house from the late 17th Century, initially built for Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Essex. It was bought by the county council in 1938 and has previously been used as offices for education staff.

Having been vacant for years, it has fallen into disrepair. Before the sale, an assessment by Historic England described the building as "in slow decay with no solution agreed".

Little Cassiobury House. (Image: Little Cassiobury CIC)