TWO fine historic landmark buildings are going under the hammer next month in the latest stage of Birmingham City Council’s big property sell-off.

The auction will be the second time that Pype Hayes Hall in Erdington has been offered up for sale after bidders failed to meet the minimum asking price in September.

The guide price has been dropped from £375,000 to £350,000 since then, with a 125- year leasehold deal for the 17th century stately home.

Council bosses, anxious that the former social services office, at the centre of Pype Hayes Park, should be restored have included a clause in the lease demanding it be put back into use within two years.

Also up for grabs is Aston Council House, most recently the home to the Aston Pride regeneration organisation, in Albert Road, which has a guide price of £175,000.

Built in 1882 the elegant four-storey building served as home to the Aston Board and Aston Urban District Council until the district was merged with Birmingham in 1911. It was also the home of Aston Library.

Ian Tudor, director of auctioneers Bigwood, said: “These are two outstanding public buildings from when Birmingham was in its pomp.

“They may both have seen better days but, with vision and regeneration zeal, they could once more prove tremendous assets to the city.”

The buildings are the latest in a series of sell-offs by the city council, designed to save the taxpayer millions over the next few years.

Staff have been moved from old, historic or out-of-date buildings to a smaller number of modern offices.

Also in the sale, at Villa Park, on December 8, is Moseley Road Methodist Church in Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, a former button factory at 9 Regent Street in the Jewellery Quarter, a former children’s day nursery in Sampson Road, Sparkbrook, and a six-bedroom former care home in Tile Cross Road, Kitts Green.

The former site of the Beeches pub in Merritts Brook Lane, Northfield, is also available and ripe for development, with a guide price of £200,000 to £225,000.