HISTORIC buildings which until recently formed part of an all-girls boarding school could be turned into housing.

Bronte House, Crookenden and Garner, which were used by boarders at Casterton School until its controversial merger with Sedbergh School, are being sold by property firm Dacres Commercial.

Jonathan Isles, managing director at Dacres, said the buildings are available as a whole or as separate lots.

“This is a truly unique opportunity to purchase a fine range of buildings that could be developed to create extremely desirable homes within this sought-after village location," he said.

The merger in 2013 saw senior pupils from the 190-year-old Casterton School transferred to Sedbergh.

Moving in the opposite direction to a newly-founded Casterton, Sedbergh Preparatory School were pupils from Sedbergh Junior School.

Bursar Peter Marshall, who is responsible for the school's finances, said the move resulted in the three buildings becoming 'surplus to requirement'.

Remaining tight-lipped over how much the sites were on the market for, he said he hoped the money will be used to create additional sports fields, a shooting range, a new library and staff accommodation at the Casterton site.

He revealed the school was currently 'talking to individual developers' and that housing was its preferred option for the site.

The move came about after a drop in girls at Casterton saw it going from making a surplus of £400,000 between September 2010 and August 2011, to a loss of £535,000 by August 2012.

The merger was met with anger when Casterton parents demanded a u-turn and said they should have been consulted.

But Mr Marshall told the Gazette this week that pupil numbers at Casterton had grown to around 200 since the merger and that it had 'exceeded all expectations'.

"I am absolutely delighted with it and so are the board of governors," said Mr Marshall. "Parents are very pleased with the education provision and the objective we set to have a vibrant and financially-sound school has been delivered."

Bronte House is the largest building at 10,000 square feet, Crookenden measures 4,800 square feet and Garner 3,750 square feet.

Mr Isles added: “A planning report has already been compiled and a pre-application enquiry submission made to the local council, and the principal of converting the buildings for residential use was accepted.

"There are of course further uses that the buildings lend themselves to including holiday accommodation, a hospitality business or various leisure uses subject to the appropriate consents.

“These buildings occupy a highly-regarded and very attractive location. We are confident that they will attract interest from a wide range of potential purchasers looking for a very special and individual development opportunity.”