A critic of a council’s decision to flog a medieval tower has been left “heartbroken” after it sold at auction.

Plans to dispose of Sudbury Tower in Pound Lane, Canterbury, by the city council proved controversial when it was announced in October, with the move likened to “selling off the family silver”.

Stewart Ross, chairman of the Canterbury Commemorative Society, had been one of those pleading with the authority not to sell the 14th-century structure.

But after the council doubled down on its position, the sale of the tower went ahead – bringing in £370,000 for the coffers and leaving Mr Ross disappointed by the move.

“Heartbreak would be one word for it, bitter disappointment would be another way of putting it,” said the 74 year old.

“It was pretty inevitable, we did try every avenue but we were told unequivocally legally they had every right to do so and we couldn’t stop it.

“We considered an injunction but it would have been costly and likely would not have succeeded.

“It’s just a shame the council's finances have been mismanaged for so long that they find themselves in a desperate situation where they have to part with some of our heritage.”

After first putting the tower up for auction in October, Canterbury City Council had to pull the lot from the Clive Emson sale whilst it reevaluated its legal position.

Mr Ross and Hilary Brian, chair of the Canterbury Society, called for the decision to be changed – citing the gifting of the tower to the public in 1911 as a key reason not to.

However, since the 1972 Local Government Act reformed the council, it is not technically the same body which inherited the site – with bosses confirming its position to sell it had been legally verified.

Following a two-day process, the structure has now transferred into private ownership after more than 100 years – selling for the lower end of its guide price.

It is not yet known who the new owner is but Mr Ross admitted he – along with many others - would love to work with the purchaser in the future.

He said: “We would love to work with them to ensure a vital part of Canterbury’s heritage is not completely removed from the people to whom it was given.

“If there’s any way it could be opened to the public in time that would be very welcome.

“Whoever they might be we would love to talk to them, to see if they might be open to enabling the original gift to the people to be honoured.

“But it is asking a lot of the new owner and we don’t blame them at all, it’s a lovely property to get hold of.”

The unique riverside house is named after Simon Sudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury between 1375 and 1381, who helped fund the strengthening of the city’s northern fortifications.

The three-storey squat square tower is constructed of flint and has medieval features such as stone quoins, a castellated parapet and a medieval gun port.

It boasts views of the River Stour through 15th-century iron windows, a period fireplace and a paved courtyard.

In a statement issued to KentOnline in November, a Canterbury City Council spokesperson said: “As stated previously, it is surplus to our needs and its sale is part of our property disposal programme, which has been very carefully thought through.”