This Is Guernsey

By Nigel Baudains

A small crowd attended the auction of Belvedere House.

MULTI-MILLIONAIRE Tom Scott is set to become the new owner of Belvedere House.

He has emerged as the mystery bidder for the £5m. property, which was sold by the States last week. The identity of the purchaser will not be officially released until 10 July, when contracts are signed.

However, the Guernsey Press has established that the man and his family estimated by the Sunday Times Rich List to be worth £200m. are looking to move into one of the island’s premier properties.

Asked about his acquisition yesterday, Mr Scott, pictured left, said: ‘Look, this is Sunday and I don’t work on the Sabbath.’ Deputy Treasury and Resources Resources minister Jack Honeybill was similarly coy.

‘Although I have an idea who has agreed to buy Belvedere House, officially it is not bought until 10 July when contracts are passed and Nick Renny [of Martel Maides] made that clear at the auction,’ he said.

Mr Scott had to pay a deposit on the day of the auction, believed to be about £500,000.

Because the States is selling the property, the new owner will be subject to police checks under money laundering guidelines and Treasury can nullify the deal if these are unsatisfactory in any way.

If all goes ahead, however, Mr Scott will take possession of a property described by Swoffers as having ‘simple symmetrical lines and beautiful Venetian windows, both classic features of the Palladian influence’.

Sources said at the weekend that Mr Scott was planning to spend millions on the property to bring the interior up to scratch and would be living there himself.

The 200-year-old home has outstanding sea views and has been placed on the open market register.

The purchase by Mr Scott is seen as a coup for the island because it indicates that he will leave Jersey, where he currently lives, and his wealth will boost Guernsey’s tax take.

* Belvedere House grounds also contain an area of cliff, various military tunnels, a small stable and garaging. The property offers approximately 7,000 square feet of accommodation – about the same as five family bungalows.