A HISTORIC Grade II listed building-turned-business centre is being converted back to a private residence.

Westwood Park in Great Horkesley has been purchased by semi-retired private investor Stuart Harris.

It was marketed for £3million with estate agents Savills late last year.

Mr Harris, 42, originally from Chelmsford, plans to convert the Tudor manor house, which dates back to the 17th century, to a home for his family of five.

Most recently, the venue has been used as office space and as a wedding venue when it was owned by W and H Park Ltd.

Mr Harris said: “I know there has been a lot of discussion around the site and the future of the area, but my family and I have bought it to turn it back into a family home.

“We picked it because this is a beautiful building and a beautiful area.

“If anything, there is a little bit too much house for five people. I have got a floor plan but I have never studied it in detail.

“It has got so much character and so much history, which I guess is what really attracted us to buying it.

“My neighbour thinks there are probably a hundred rooms, but I would estimate it to be 70 plus.”

Mr Harris said he paid slightly less than the £3million asking price for the building but would need to spend a significant amount to bring it back to its full potential.

He said: “It has been a little bit neglected.

“Unfortunately, it is no longer a commercial premises and will not be used as a wedding venue.”

Westwood Park was formerly the home of the Bunting family, but was sold when their firm, Bunting and Sons, went into administration in 2013 with debts of £14.7million.

Wand H Park spent £6.3million to buy the assets, which included Westwood Park, Horkesley Park, the Chantry and other properties.

The Buntings’ business collapsed after they failed to win approval to develop a multi-million pound heritage and tourism centre at Horkesley Park, which they believed would be a major tourism boost for the area and create more than 100 jobs.