The owner of a crumbling historic building today accused Council planners of failing to help his bid to restore the property to its former glory.

Farmer Antony Cribbin bought 17th century Leaventhorpe Hall in Thornton a year ago, planning to build and sell cottages nearby to pay for its restoration.

But he says he has hit hurdles with the Council's conservation department and cannot afford the £500,000 needed to repair and renovate it.

Mr Cribbin spoke out after Britain's biggest conservation organisation, English Heritage, put the hall in Thornton Road on its register of listed buildings which are at risk.

English Heritage described the condition of the hall, which still has panelled walls and original features, as poor.

It said the windows are broken, the roof is sagging with missing slates and the walls are cracked.

But Mr Cribbin, 22, who is running an equestrian centre on the site, said his big ambition is to restore and live in the old hall. He said his mortgage cost him £1,250 a month, while the hall remained empty.

But he said his proposal to demolish a barn and build 13 cottages for sale was hitting stony ground with the Council's conservation department.

He said: "I would use the stone from the demolition and the whole site would be improved."

Mr Cribbin also said he also wanted to expand the equestrian centre.

But Bradford Council's conservation officer Steve Bateman said the authority was unaware of the plan for the cottages, although discussions had been held with Mr Cribbin about the site which was of great historical value.

He said: "It is a problem site with a lot of big buildings on it.

"They are run down and it would require a delicate hand to make it work.

"It is a problem and we sympathise, but he has to accept that he can't just do as he likes with Grade Two listed buildings."