Offers from £1.5m are being invited for the site of the Marie Curie Hospice in Harestone Valley Road, Caterham, that was put onto the market with Savills estate agents last weekend. The hospice closed its doors in 2009 despite local opposition to the closure, supported by the MP for East Surrey at that time, Peter Ainsworth.

In March, Tandridge District Council produced a Supplementary Planning Document with a detailed description of the building and grounds. The document outlines the approach the council would like to see from any developer that may be considering purchasing the site to deter inappropriate schemes being submitted for planning consent.

Tandridge District Councillor for Harestone Ward, Beverley Connolly, said: "The future of the building is of grave concern to many because it is one of the few remaining heritage buildings in Caterham. Some of the rooms are absolutely stunning and I think it would be catastrophic if anything happened to it. I would fight very hard to stop it being demolished.

The main hospice building is now unoccupied, but a separate office on the site still accommodates the local fundraising team who will have to be relocated once the building is sold. Alex Holdaway, Head of PR for Marie Curie, said: "We are looking for a new office in Caterham for when the building is sold because it is important the office remains local. We do not want to lose our volunteers in Caterham."

To download a pdf of the Marie Curie Urban Design Concept Statement produced by Tandridge District Council, go to http://www.tandridge.gov.uk/yourcouncil/documents/document_display.htm?pk_document=2529