A FORMER special needs nursery building in Trowbridge is being sold by Wiltshire Council after it has been judged to surplus to the council’s needs.

Carter Jonas is selling the Polebarn Road land which combines the former Stepping Stones Nursery buildings and two adjoining houses in Polebarn Gardens.

Currently, the land is home to several portable cabin buildings which housed the nursery as well as two semi-detached houses. There is a car park with reserved spaces for the Polebarn Gardens houses which will also be sold.

The agents say there is potential to use the premises for a variety of alternative uses, subject to planning, including residential or commercial, although no-one has yet come up with a plan for the area.

The deadline for bids to be made was 12 noon on Thursday.

Cabinet member for development management, Cllr Toby Sturgis, said: “Wherever possible, we look to release sites that are surplus to our provision of services.

“Money from sales will be invested in key areas including better roads, waste collection and recycling, extra care homes, health and wellbeing centres and initiatives to provide improved customer access to council services.

“This property was included in a list of sites deemed to be surplus to the council estate in July 2015.”

Colin Scragg, partner at Carter Jonas said: “This important central site, whilst of sentimental importance to those within the local community who sent their children to Stepping Stones Nursery, offers so much regeneration potential for the purchaser to exploit by bringing it back into productive use.

“Given its versatility and location, we anticipate the site will continue to add value to the community either as a new commercial hub or as much needed new homes.”

The land is just off Roundstone Street so is only a few minutes walk from Trowbridge town centre, and is also close to the park.

The car park next to the portable buildings, which belongs to Trowbridge police station, was often used by people visiting Stepping Stones but is not part of the site. Stepping Stones Nursery is now part of the Longfield Children’s Centre in Broadcloth Lane, caring for children who have special needs of all complexities.