A COUNCILLOR who campaigned to keep a former stately home under the control of North Yorkshire County Council has expressed his sadness at the decision to sell the property.
As reported in yesterday's Northern Echo, the county council is selling Grantley Hall, a 17th Century Grade II*-listed building, because it is losing more than £200,000 a year. Estimates put the hall's value at £2m.
The hall had been used as a conference and training base for 50 years, but had come under increased pressure from rival centres.
County Councillor Paul Richardson, who represents the Masham and Fountains area, which includes the hall and its 30 acres of grounds near Ripon, said: "I campaigned with the backing of local people to keep the hall going. I am very sad at the decision to sell because I wanted the community use to continue."
Coun Richardson said he hoped some form of community use would still be possible.
There had been widespread backing for his fight to save the hall from being sold.
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