A BITTER dispute over ownership of historic Windlestone Hall has escalated after a businessman who says he has exchanged contracts on the property used force to enter the grounds.

Police watched on as workmen sawed off a security barrier on the road leading to the 30-bedroom grade II* listed mansion near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Tuesday.

The metal gate was removed by workers instructed by Garry Moat, who says he is the legal owner of the land surrounding the hall after completing the purchase in December last year.

This claim is disputed by William Davenport, who in 2011 bought the hall and land from Durham County Council and is currently living in the property.

He told The Northern Echo that he remained the legal owner of the hall and land.

As well as claiming that the sale process was flawed, Mr Davenport is unhappy that he was not made aware when signing the contract that Mr Moat was currently on police bail after being arrested by officers investigating an alleged telecoms fraud.

He said: "I was surprised by Mr Moat's actions of removing the barrier as I am the legal owner of the hall and the land.

"Furthermore, for this reason I was amazed that Durham Constabulary officers stood by as the barrier was vandalised and then stolen."

But John Gibson, project advisor to Mr Moat, said the barrier had been removed because it had been locked and was preventing access to land which Mr Moat now owned.

He said the purchase of the land had been completed on December 17 for £120,000, while contracts on the hall had been exchanged and the sale would be completed when planning permission was obtained.

Mr Gibson said he and Mr Moat had contacted police to make a formal complaint about access to the hall being prevented.

Mr Davenport would have to apply to the High Court to set aside the sale which he had not done, he added.

"Instead, he is trying to rubbish us through the press.

"We wouldn't have gone up there with the police if we were doing anything wrong."

A spokeswoman for Durham Constabulary said: "We were called at around 10am today (Tuesday) to ensure there was no breach of the peace in what was a civil matter."

Windlestone Hall has been described by English Heritage as one of the region's most important historic buildings.

The property is the former family home of 1950s Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden.