ONE OF the town's most historic buildings could be turned into a hotel or separated into apartments, a property expert has revealed.

Potential bidders have expressed their interest in buying the Caversham Park site and have shared a variety of plans for its future.

The Chronicle recently revealed the BBC, which owns the 19th century house, has officially put the site on the market.

And property consultant Philip Hunter exclusively told the Chronicle it could become homes, a school, a hotel or a care facility.

"We currently have four block viewing dates and are opening up to offers in August," he said.

"We've had a range of interested parties including the eduction, healthcare, residential and hotel sectors."

An architectural study revealed the grassland around the landmark building could fit 144 new homes.

But Mr Hunter, director of Lambert Smith Hampton, added: "It's impossible to pin-point an exact price because of the difference in what the parties are looking to use the property for.

"There's potential for development in the grounds so it depends on what the potential buyers want to do."

The site's official brochure states the house itself could be separated into a total of 48 separate apartments, with one four-bed apartment, 32 two-bed apartments, 11 three-bed flats, and four one-bed apartments.

It reads: "Following review of policy and consultation with the council, the vendor's professional team is of the view that the conversion of the house and adjacent buildings to residential use, alongside sympathetic residential development in selected parts of the northern area of the site, offer a sustainable and much needed development solution."

RBC's deputy leader branded the decision to sell the site as 'irresponsible'.

Cllr Page said recently: "This is more like an episode of Flog It than Antiques Roadshow.

"It is unacceptable from a public interest point of view, as a licence fee payer and tax payer.

"They are attempting an approach that won't maximise the value of the site."

Visit xxxxxxx to view the brochure.