A HISTORIC hospital and former workhouse has been sold.

The Grade II-listed HM Stanley Hospital and eight acre site in St Asaph was put up for sale in April and has now been sold to local developers.

The HM Stanley site was put on the market by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board which described the building as surplus to requirements.

It has already been earmarked for 172 houses as well as the 75 originally proposed in Denbighshire County Council’s Local Development Plan (LDP).

Stephen Wade, director of the Chester-based firm Legat Owen, who handled the sale, said no price had been fixed for the structure.

The land was up for “informal tender,” and the bidding started in September with the sale notice offering “redevelopment potential for residential, healthcare or commercial uses.”

HM Stanley Hospital, which is included in the sale, was also a workhouse when it was home to its namesake, the controversial Victorian adventurer and journalist.

The workhouse dates back to 1838 and became a hospital in 1948, but the beginning of April 2012 saw the end of the eye care service.

The remainder of the site, including, doctors’ accommodation, offices for Welsh Ambulance Service Trust and St Kentigern Hospice are not part of the sale.

Mr Wade said: “BCUHB have completed the sale of HM Stanley hospital to a local developer following an informal tender process.

“The developer will be progressing their plans for the site which are likely to be based upon a residential development.”

St Asaph’s last Catholic school site, St Winefride’s has also been allocated for 21 homes and the housing application will be considered early this year.