Part of the former Buckland Hospital building has been auctioned off for more than £1m above the recommended guide price.

A substantial part of the one time workhouse in Coombe Valley Road, Dover, went under the auctioneer’s hammer, astonishing onlookers when a bidding war broke out.

The lot was among 110 listed for sale and it went for a total of £1,450,000. The guide price was £300-320,000.

Auctioneers Clive Emson described an “extensive range of buildings” on the four acre site and suggested it might be possible to develop the land, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.

So far the intended use is not known.

The premises opened in September 1836 as a workhouse and offered up to 500 people in poverty accommodation and employment opportunities.

In 1948 it became a hospital with the launch of the NHS.

In 2015 a new hospital building was opened adjacent, which aims to be fit for the future.

Kevin Gilbert, auctioneer, said: “Investors and developers fought each other and pushed the price incredibly high. It just proves that for the right lot there is a lot of demand.”