'You do wonder who is making these decisions': Locals furious as council pays £10.5million for office block to then sell it for £5.2million

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Lewis Henderson

By Lewis Henderson


Published: 21/10/2025

- 18:49

One nearby resident deemed the sale as a 'disgrace'

A council has sparked fury amongst locals after forking out £10.5million for a rundown office block to sell it on for £5.2million.

Spelthorne Borough Council purchased the office block in Staines, Surrey, for £10.5million some seven years ago, with the building sitting abandoned since 2018.


The Tory majority council sold the property for half of what it purchased it for to an unnamed buyer, who plans to turn the building into around 60 flats.

Residents in the area are outraged by the wastage of their money, which is costing each household in the borough £120.

Ben, a resident in the area, told GB News: "I mean, it's, it's a disgrace. You know, an investment like that, really, should have a positive return on investment.

"It's just incredible how they managed to screw that up. You do really wonder who is actually making these decisions."

Another nearby resident who preferred to remain anonymous explained to GB News: "I'm absolutely disgusted. It's a well-known fact that squatters have been allowed to stay there.

"The building is in a terrible state and has just been left to rot basically. It is frustrating that we pay a high rate of council tax that is basically being wasted.

The council said it is currently paying \u00a32.5million a year in security costs, loan interests and business rates on the rundown office block

The council said it is currently paying £2.5million a year in security costs, loan interests and business rates on the rundown office block

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GB NEWS

"It's a disgraceful waste of our council tax, which could have been used to fund improvements to a rapidly declining area."

The sale of the property passed by 17 votes in favour, three against and eight abstentions.

Cllr Joanne Sexton, leader of the council, backed the decision, saying the local authority is following Government guidance to sell off unused assets and reduce debts.

The council claim it will save £2.5million a year in loan interests, security costs and business rates.

The council's decision on the derelict property has cost each household in the borough \u00a3120

The council's decision on the derelict property has cost each household in the borough £120

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GB NEWS

Cllr Howard Williams said: "We've been procrastinating for about seven years on the site, and we need to make a decision."

Other councillors deemed the sale a "liability", describing the move as a total "loss".

Cllr Darren Clarke criticised the move, stating: "You can put a bow on it... But if it looks faecal, smells faecal and tastes faecal, then let's call it what it is: a turd.

"I cannot vote for this loss of £120 per household in the borough. So much could have been done on this site already."

\u200bWindows of the building appear smashed in, with damage to various parts of the former office block

Windows of the building appear smashed in, with damage to various parts of the former office block

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GB NEWS

Labour Cllr Med Buck accused the council of wasting taxpayers' money.

He said: "The so-called investment has turned into a liability.

"It's not the officers, nor the advisor, nor the consultant. It's not even the councillors who voted for it at the time. It's the residents of Spelthorne, the hardworking taxpayers who bear the cost for that loss."

In a statement, the council wrote: "This is the first step toward getting our finances onto a firmer footing and delivering on the Government's direction to reduce our debt levels.

"These are complex financial decisions, but we have listened to residents' concerns, particularly around the future of Staines, and we believe this is the right solution that balances financial responsibility with community interests."

The council explained they had sold a separate property for £8million worth of profit, which would cover the debts on the office block.

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