Former public toilets with ‘picturesque riverside views’ near Truro have sold at auction for £258,000 – nearly nine times their freehold guide price.

There were 232 bids when the detached block at Malpas went under the hammer with Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers.

Cornwall Council instructed the sale of the property, with a guide of £30,000. However, in the event they went for £258k.

The view from the back of the toilets (Image: Clive Emson)

Auctioneer David Henwood said: “Bidders were undoubtedly attracted by the potential of this site within the sought after riverside community of Malpas.

“It enjoys picturesque views across the River Fal in a location close to Truro. The new owner may have a number of different future uses in mind, including some form of residential project, subject to the necessary planning consents.”

The block is on an overgrown site, off Trenhaile Terrace and Scobie’s Terrace, facing the river.

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It was among 173 lots in the latest sale by Clive Emson Auctioneers.

Also selling in the same auction was a ground floor flat in Goodern Drive, close to Truro city centre, which sparked strong bidding.

The two-bedroom property was listed with a leasehold guide of £110,000 plus but eventually went for £163,000 when the gavel fell.

The block of flats in Goodern Drive, Truro (Image: Clive Emson) Auctioned with a new 999-year lease, it was sold in arrangement with MAP estate agents of Barncoose.

The next auction by Clive Emson Auctioneers, the last of eight this year, starts on December 9 and concludes 48 hours later on December 11.

Entries for lots close on November 18 and the catalogue is released from November 22.