Run-down house on Whitefield Road, once owned by Cllr Alan Rice, listed for £1, generating huge interest despite needed repairs.
The house sits on Whitefield Road. Mitchells calls it “characterful,” but the house needs lots of repair work. Downstairs, the floors rotted through.
Alan Rice lived there and held positions in town, district, and county councils. He served for a very long time. Rice died in 2022 at age 90.
The house has problems: bricks crumble, windows rot, and floors vanished. Still, buyers want the house despite its broken windows, rotting doors, and fallen roof tiles.
Net curtains block the view inside and neighbors call it “a shocking state.” One said, “Stuff stacked up everywhere,” while noting that the floors downstairs are totally gone and the kitchen defies description.
Rice’s old house has two stories and three bedrooms. The house sits near a Quaker meeting place. The outside looks bad, just like inside, with rotting window frames, falling roof tiles, and plaster chunks having come off.
Buyers still want it, and most are likely developers. They want the property from Mitchells, who received many offers.
A source spoke about interest, noting the £1 is just a starting price and it will likely sell for much more. The house needs serious help, but it could be a nice family home again or they could tear it down for new construction.
Flats or a business could work, but this needs official permission. The house divides into three units and has unusual front doors on two.
Rice served on Hampshire County Council for 44 long years. He also served on New Forest District Council for 42 years! Rice helped start the New Forest National Park Authority.
Rice was a commoner and served on the Verderers’ Court. He left the county council in 2017 but remained a town council member. The town honored him in 2014.
Rice served in the military and belonged to the Royal British Legion. He also served as a school governor.
Mitchells calls it “characterful” and notes it divides into three units now. Mitchells says it has “excellent potential” and could be reconfigured, as the site allows redevelopment.
It “needs complete renovation,” but the spot is “fantastic,” says Mitchells. The house lies in New Milton’s heart.
Mitchells says the house has “great potential.” “It has attracted a lot of interest.” Yes, “it does need a lot of work.”
The sale closes on March 31st. You must bid by noon.
A neighbor spoke, saying “He was such a nice man.” The neighbor wants the house fixed, as they have a terrible rat problem and “It would be nice to see it” restored.