There have been many false dawns for Stanmer House since the University of Sussex moved out in 1980.
But now a local company has come up with a scheme to enhance the house and make the village more attractive.
The ground floor of the house will become an art gallery. The museum will be extended and a centre for disabled children will be provided nearby.
Finance for the scheme will be generated by converting the upper floors into housing and rebuilding the old north wing for homes.
The centre for children will be particularly pleasing for developer Mike Holland. It will bear the name of his son Brian, who died from cancer, and cater for kids such as his nine-year-old disabled son Chris.
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