A MAJOR piece of business land in Kendal is still on the market after standing empty for several years time.

Shenstone House, Helsington, just off the A591 on the southern slip road into Kendal has been marketed "without success" since summer 1994.

In February last year, Lowgate School, Levens, a school for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, tabled a bid and hoped to move in to the premises but the deal fell through.

Geoff Brady, Director of Witherslack Group of Schools Ltd, who was head of Lowgate Schools at the time of the proposed move, told the Gazette: "We couldn't agree on a price with Barclays who own the sub let on the property.

The site would have been ideal for us as Lowgate school is very strapped for space.

" It would also have been very beneficial for the children to have gone to school in a different environment from where they live."

Shenstone House, which comprises of a former country hotel and offices, has been earmarked on the South Lakeland Local Plan for "business use".

It is on the market with Peill & Co of Kendal at £40,000 per annum, or £500,000 freehold.