A MAJOR development which attracted former Tory leader William Hague to its inauguration last September is in its final stage, with the majority of its 42 new and converted properties already occupied.

St Anne's Convent, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, was bought and developed by Carlbury Developments in a £4m building transformation programme.

Charltons Estate Agents, with offices in Richmond and Darlington, is acting as the selling agent for the properties at the former girls' convent school. All of the apartments have already been sold, along with many of the houses.

Prices range from about £70,000 for a one-bedroom apartment to £275,000 for one of the larger homes in the grounds, which can comprise up to five bedrooms.

About 60 per cent of the apartments were reserved before work even started, after the first release last September.

The convent's hermitage, which was the original school, has also been sold, after being split into two properties.

The cottage, situated within the grounds of the convent, which was being used as Charltons' sales office, has also been sold, even though it was not originally intended to go on the market.

The development is now in its third and final stage with the release of eight new town houses.

Principal of Charltons Estate Agents, Mike Charlton said: "This development is situated on the edge of a beautiful town and very much in demand.

"Already, most of the dwellings have been sold and many of them were reserved before the actual building work had taken place. All new and converted properties are of modern design, but with a very traditional feel, retaining the character of the original site built in 1850.

"When the first plans were drawn up, we could already imagine there to be a unique atmosphere within the grounds. This atmosphere is now very much alive and already there is a real community environment."