Wisbech's oldest residential property, Ely House, sells at auction

Historic Ely House – reputed to be the oldest residential property in Wisbech – has been sold at auction.

The six-bedroom home, which dates back to the early 17th century, went under the hammer yesterday (Monday) with London-based Barnard Marcus.

The Grade II listed property sold for £147,000 - £17,000 above the guide price of £130,000.

Concerns for the future of the Grade II listed house were raised earlier this year when a Fenland councillor called for a closure order to prevent squatters from entering the building, which had become a beacon for drug dealing and rough sleepers.

There were a number of fires at the property in Lynn Road during the summer, including one which completely gutted an outbuilding.

In August Fenland District Council took legal action to close the property in a bid to preserve the building’s future and protect nearby residents from persistent criminal activity.

The authority successfully applied for a closure order at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 1.

Subsequently Fenland had the order extended by three months in October, meaning it is closed until the end of January.

The extension was granted by Peterborough Magistrates and means it is illegal for anyone without authority to access the house.