THE Old Manor Hospital in Salisbury has been sold for £4.1 million to developers, 11 years after it was abandoned by the NHS.

The former psychiatric hospital has been bought by the Bournemouth-based Quantum Group, which plan to develop the six-acre site into an assisted-living complex, with 80 individual homes and communal facilities.

Once the largest private asylum in the UK, Fisherton House opened in 1813 before becoming the Old Manor Hospital in 1924.

It came into the NHS in 1955 and closed in 2003, when it was replaced by Fountain Way, a smaller psychiatric hospital on the same site.

NHS Property Services regional director for the South James Wakeham said: “This site is a gateway to the historic city of Salisbury and we were acutely aware of its importance to local people. We are therefore delighted to have concluded its sale – one of our largest so far - within our first 18 months of activity.

“Once buildings are no longer required by the NHS, it is important that taxpayers see them being sold for full market value and appropriate development and that they know the money will be reinvested in modern healthcare facilities for NHS patients.”

The site, which includes two listed buildings, was on the market when it came under the auspices of NHS Property Services following the NHS reforms in April 2013.

John Mulholland, director of property agents JLL, said: “Quantum has clearly recognised the potential that this site offers set against the backdrop of Salisbury as a Cathedral City. It was very pleasing to conclude this transaction on behalf of NHS Property Services, as it not only realises a significant public asset, but will also deliver much-needed houses onto the market.”