Bids received for Saffron Walden water tower
The water tower - Credit: Archant
Potential buyers have had the chance to view Saffron Walden’s iconic water tower.
Viewers were able to climb the winding staircase through the dust and cobwebs to see the town spread out below the historic redbrick building in Mount Pleasant Road.
Sophie Illingworth, representative for Bidwells estate agent, said: “There’s been quite a lot of interest, one morning was fully booked for viewings.”
The tower, currently owned by Friends’ School, houses telecoms masts and will be sold subject to the conditions of leases held by EE and Telephonica.
The combined lease brings in £15,000 a year but presents radiation issues for any future plan to convert the building into residential properties.
Abandoned paintings occupy the first floor from a stint as an art studio 18 years ago and a wrought iron staircase spirals upwards to the rusted walls which once held the town’s water supply.
The grade II listed tower, opened by Saffron Walden’s mayor in 1913, has no set guide price.
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However, any offers are expected to be in line with the annual revenue from the telecoms masts.
Now only occupied by a surplus of spiders and the occasional pigeon it is anyone’s guess as to the future of this community landmark.
Bidwells confirmed that bids have been made, though none has been accepted as yet.
