Murder mansion Osbaston House's 16-acre site on sale

The Shropshire estate where failed businessman Christopher Foster murdered his wife and daughter and killed himself has been put up for sale.

It could mean a new home being built on the 16-acre Osbaston House site. Property consultants GVA, acting as the receivers for the land, near Oswestry, have instructed agents to start marketing after demolition of the burnt-out house.

Joint agents, Strutt and Parker, in Shrewsbury, and Fisher German, in Stafford, will start selling the estate, with full planning permission for a replacement dwelling, in the next few weeks.

In August 2008 Christopher Foster, who was facing being declared bankrupt, shot his wife Jill and their 15-year-old daughter Kirstie. He also killed the family's pets, set fire to the house and died in the blaze.

In 2009, Shropshire Council granted planning permission for the remains of the five bedroom house to be demolished to make way for a luxury home.

The ruins were pulled down last year and the grounds have since been completely cleared.

The 16-acre estate has now been prepared for a larger house, in a different location to the original.

Greg Judd, senior director of GVA's corporate recovery team in Birmingham, said: "As law of property act receivers, we have overseen the security, demolition and landscaping of the estate over the past few years to prepare it for market.

"The joint agents will shortly start work to bring it to the notice of prospective purchasers.

"With full planning permission for a replacement dwelling, this estate – despite its tragic recent history – will be a rare opportunity to construct a large country house in a secluded location with a spectacular backdrop of the Welsh mountains."

Foster's brother, Mr Andrew Foster, wanted the ground to remain undeveloped and for a memorial garden to be constructed in memory of Kirstie.

The site is owned by a national bank.

Neighbours raised the alarm in the early hours of August 26, 2008, to report the fire at Osbaston House.

It took 12 fire crews to contain the flames.

See also:

• Osbaston House demolition ‘wipes away’ Foster family memories

• Murdered girl’s uncle plans her memorial at Osbaston House

• Demolition of Osbaston House ruins begins