An iconic building in Rickmansworth could be converted into flats as a charity looks to maximise cash from selling it.

An advertising board has been put up outside Scotsbridge House in Scots Hill highlighting a “development opportunity”.

Holstein UK has owned the iconic building since 1951 and the main building, which is situated in 10 acres of green land, could be converted into homes.

Peter Martin, Chief Operating Officer at Holstein UK, said: “For the 40 or 50 people who use this building, this is a fairly lavish site.

“Our members are farmers who pay for our services and as part of our annual assessment, one thing that we identified is that we could be in just as nice offices, internally, somewhere else.

“As a charity, we have to make sure we make the best use of our assets for our members and the assessment is that we do not need to be in this mansion to give the best service to our members. We could use the money to improve and enhance the services.

The 56-year-old added that while the site was very popular with workers, the charity was looking to maximise the amount of money it could make.

He added: “You can’t work here for any length of time without being head over heels for the site but to be perfectly honest, if one person came along, who I didn’t like and offered me one amount, and then another person came along who promised to hug all of the trees and offered half that amount, I would take the first offer.

“The farmers of Great Britain will only momentarily remember the beauty of this place but they will forever remember a bad deal.”

The estate agent charged with selling the building has insisted Scotsbridge House will not be converted into “a massive estate”.

Kane Lennon, who is marketing the property for Saville Estate Agent, said: “It is in Green Belt and as it is in Green Belt land, it is important to Three Rivers and there is a position against development in the Green Belt land.

“It is unlikely the development will be anything other than the existing buildings. It could be a headquarters for a charity or a business, or apartments.

“It is not going to be a massive estate. It won’t happen, it could not happen. The Green Belt is protected land.”