A BUYER has been found to restore one of Newport's most historic buildings, it has emerged.

Newport Council is planning to buy up the 19th century Lawns Club building with a compulsory purchase order (CPO), so a developer can then buy it and restore it.

Almost ten years ago it had been under threat of demolition but Councillor John Richards, cabinet member for regeneration and development, has said that a suitable buyer has now been identified.

But the identity of the buyer has yet to be revealed and it is not clear what they want to do with the site.

The grade two listed building on Kensington Grove, which is set in grounds around two thirds of an acre in size, dates back to the 1800s.

In 2008 the council sought to acquire the building by a CPO after a report to the authority's planning committee said it was at extreme risk due to neglect and decay.

Cllr Richards told a council meeting that, following the site's advertisement in the Estates' Gazette and on the "Save Britain's Heritage" website a suitable purchaser has been identified.

He said a new report would need to be readied for cabinet to consider making a fresh CPO.

Asked who the buyer was, and their intention for the site, a Newport council spokeswoman said: "It's too early to discuss or reveal the nature of the plans or the potential developer involved in this project."

The Argus reported two years ago that the building was worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, but was under threat of demolition after part of it collapsed following a fire in 2003.

But the council refused planning permission for its demolition, and a Welsh Government inspector ruled it should be saved following an appeal against the decision.