Attempts are to be made to find a private buyer for a county council-owned historic estate near Welshpool because of escalating maintenance costs.

Council board members will discuss the future of the Leighton Estate tomorrow.

A report to the board says: “The Leighton Centre includes 16 separately listed Grade II* buildings and seven separately listed Grade II buildings.

“A concentration of so many Grade II* farm buildings is extremely unusual and indicative of the significance of Leighton.

“Leighton Centre therefore represents a heritage asset of the greatest importance nationally, however, therein lies the problems for the county council who as landlord have the responsibility for their upkeep.”

Currently housing farm and other business tenants, the council has spent £115,000 in five years on maintenance with an extra £38,000 planned for this year. But councillors will be told that is not nearly enough to stop the rot.

The centre’s plight has attracted the interest of Cadw, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales and The National Trust.

The Prince’s Regeneration Trust has reported on possible uses, including a hotel, golf and leisure complex. The board will hear a private buyer has shown interest in Leighton and that should be used as a gauge to advertise nationally for any other interested parties to come forward.