THE owner of a 1,000 year old abbey claims work to relieve flooding at a car park have landed him with a huge headache, a potential £40,000 bill and "outrageous" restrictions on selling his home.

Businessman Tim Clissold says all he wants to do is have his garden at the historic house next to Easby Abbey back, and get on with growing plants. But at the current time there is a large black pipe over it and he is expected to pay to underground it and sort out earthworks.

North Yorkshire County Council has carried out extensive flood prevention works at the neighbouring car park which led to the black pipe over his land installed after the garden was swamped. They would be due to repay the expected £40,000 bill to remove it but Mr Clissold says they are insisting he signs an "outrageous" contract which states they would repay him "subject to the necessary funds being available"

The contract further insists he has to put into the deeds of his house at the Land Registry that no transfer can be made without the prior written consent of North Yorkshire County Council. The grounds and the abbey, which date back to 1170, are scheduled and work is strictly controlled.

He said: "It's completely mad. If this dispute was with a vulnerable or less experienced person, it would amount to terrible bullying. I am absolutely determined to sort this out in a fair way and will not back down. I don't have any choice as this house is my only asset and the council has already damaged its value.

"I think it is outrageous that they have the gall to ask for these conditions when the whole mess I believe has been caused entirely by their own incompetence. They remain totally in breach of their obligations under the original contract and there is a huge, ugly pipe sprawled across my garden which, personally, I would not say blends into the medieval surroundings."

Barrie Mason, Assistant Director for Highways and Transportation, said: "We are aware of Mr Clissold’s issues at Easby Abbey and are trying to work with him to resolve matters. The pipe is a temporary measure designed to ensure that no damage is caused on the site. It was installed with Mr Clissold’s agreement while we work together to reach a permanent solution. As Mr Clissold has instructed solicitors to act on his behalf, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further, but we are happy to continue discussions with Mr Clissold or his solicitors."