A GRADE II listed building has been sold by its owners, a children’s cancer charity.

Loring Hall, in Water Lane, off North Cray Road, Sidcup, was, until recently, renamed Malcolm Sargent House.

It was owned by the Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children and used as a centre for young people recovering from cancer.

It has now been sold to accountant Raj Patel with the intention it is used as a care home for adults with learning disabilities.

Because its use is similar to that of Malcolm Sargent House, Mr Patel will not need planning permission for a change of use.

He already has permission to carry out minor internal work such as creating extra toilets and bathrooms.

Loring Hall was built around 1760 and was home to the Irish-born Lord Castlereagh when he was Foreign Secretary.

He committed suicide in the house on August 12, 1882, by slitting his throat with a penknife. He had become depressed after becoming unpopular with the people due to the introduction of repressive political measures.