A Chichester infant school building is to be disposed of by West Sussex County Council.

St Joseph’s, located on Orchard Gardens, was deemed surplus to requirements in 2024 following its move to the neighbouring junior school site in 2023.

The premises were advertised for purchase through an internet auction site with a guide price of around £1.5million.

Several offers were received, and on March 20, Jeremy Hunt—cabinet member overseeing finance and property—authorised acceptance of an undisclosed bid.

Andrew Edwards, who heads the property and assets division, said a comprehensive options review had been undertaken, with the location assessed against multiple potential uses, including social, community or environmental applications, particularly those aligned with the council’s climate change commitments.

He said no viable alternatives were identified during this process, that every conceivable alternative educational application had been explored, and that no other county council service had been found to require the building, which now exceeds all operational service needs.