English Island With Military Barracks, Underground Tunnel Hits Market for £6 Million

The former soccer executive and businessman had planned to reopen the island to the public, but is now selling 20 years later with planning permission in place to convert the existing structures into a resort and spa.

Mr. McCauley had a "long-held vision to see the island brought back into use," said his son, Aidan McCauley, in a statement. "As a family and as a company, we are passionate about seeing his vision turned into a reality and are exploring all options to make this happen," he added.

The island’s many outbuildings and U-shaped garrison make it well-suited for a commercial enterprise, but a deep-pocketed buyer could conceivably repurpose the existing buildings as a private residence, said listing agent Michael Easton of JLL, who is marketing the island with John Kinsey, also of JLL. A residential conversion would also require changing the current luxury hotel planning permissions that were approved in the spring of 2017.

The current plans would convert a row of soldier barracks into 18 luxury suites plus staff accommodations, while the military complex at the other end of the island would serve as a hotel with a spa, pool and fine dining restaurant, according to mockups of the resort. A Grade-II listed house on the island dates to the early 1800s.

"With the added attraction of planning permission for a luxury hotel and spa this is a unique opportunity to lead one of the South West’s most exciting and unusual developments," said Mr. Kinsey, director at JLL Exeter, in a statement. "But of course, that’s only one permitted approach. Now being sold freehold, it means the future is wide open for this historic island."

Ref : Property Report