Historic Eton College building could be demolished

The fate of Eton College's landmark 'old sanatorium' building seems sealed.

The imposing Victorian building called the Sandles saw generations of future leaders nursed back to health, before a new sanatorium was set up above the church in Eton High Street. Since then it has been converted into flats for college staff.

Neighbour Patrick McGlynn who lives in Stonebridge Field next door to the Sandles has campaigned fiercely to save it. He told the Express last year: "It is an extremely atmospheric building that has a real presence to it. At night when the clouds are passing by it looks like an ocean liner."

But the building has never been listed. This week Eton College's investment property manager Adrian Harris confirmed that English Heritage - called in by supporters of the building - had decided not to call for its preservation.

Mr Harris said the building was now in the process of being sold. Although the college would have some say in what happened to it, he admitted it would be mainly up to the new owners.

The most likely bet seems to be now that the old sanitorium will be demolished, probably to make way for town houses.

Mr Harris said: "Although it has been converted to house college staff, it is not a good building to expect people to live in because it is so old."