A HISTORIC Victorian mansion on the outskirts of Rawtenstall is up for sale after refurbishment plans failed to materialise.

Grade II listed Horncliffe House, in Bury Road, was formerly used as a wedding venue, restaurant and nursing home.

It was granted planning approval for conversion into a dwelling in April 2009, but is has remained derelict.

The 11-bedroom venue was originally built as a private home for local mill owner and businessman Henry Hoyle Hardman in 1869.

The property developer Jamie Carter, from Crawshawbooth, bought the site in 2008, but ambitious plans to turn it into a family home never came to fruition.

Two initial planning bids were witdrawn but he then eventually secured permission to remove the dividing walls and to turn small rooms into larger ones at the third time of asking.

Pearson Ferrier, the Ramsbottom and Bury-based estate agency, has valued the 10,000 sq ft mansion at £500,000.

In a statement, the agency stated: “Horncliffe Mansion was once one of the finest houses in the region.

“The Grade II listed property has become derelict and now requires a comprehensive scheme of renovation. However, it offers tremendous potential for a residential conversion or for commercial uses, subject to planning.

“Externally, there are extensive grounds around the property totalling around two acres with views.

“Please be advised the property is in a state of direpair and so anyone wishing to view does so at their own risk.”

The building is in such a state of disrepair tha any potential buyers of the property must wear hard hats, high-visibility vests and bring their own safety boots if they wish to view it.