LAND near Jonathan Ross’ Dorset holiday home has been put on the market. 

Offers are being considered for around 4.4 acres of brownfield land at the former Purbeck View School in Northbrook Road, Swanage. 

Property consultancy Montagu Evans said offers are invited on an unconditional basis by way of an informal tender. 

The land is also earmarked for a major development of 92 homes, which would require the clearance of several unoccupied buildings. 

Back in May, the landowner sought initial planning work with a scheme drawn up for 53 homes and 39 flats. 

SwanageSwanage (Image: Daily Echo)

Two months later, Dorset Council gave written feedback saying the proposal would be “acceptable in principle”. 

And the site sits right next to the former Harrow House International College, which is also earmarked for 93 new homes. 

TV chat show host Jonathan Ross, whose house overlooks the site, previously complained about the application. 

Mr Ross, 63, said the loss of privacy would be “very distressing and cause a great deal of stress” to his family who use the £1.1million farmhouse as a holiday home. 

He revealed he has been approached “many times” by developers asking to buy the land but refused because he is “conscious of the impact it would have on the entire community”. 

(Image: Daily Echo)

Montagu Evans said: “Despite the recent economic climate, the residential market remains resilient. In the wider area of Dorset, the average property is priced at £350,051, based on all residential property types. 

“The majority of sales in Swanage during the last year were flats, selling for an average price of £274,955.  

“Detached properties sold for an average of £720,692, with terraced properties fetching £384,341. 

“Overall, sold prices in Swanage over the last year were up 3 per cent on the previous year, and 13 per cent up on the 2020 peak of £386,871.” 

The £96k-per-year Purbeck View School closed in August 2023 following a ‘requires improvement’ rating from regulator Ofsted earlier that year. 

It was a former independent special school catering for pupils with autism or severe communication difficulties.