National Trust in dispute with Sheringham Hall over access

But a dispute between the charity and the occupants of a neighbouring stately home could soon mean the public will get to see a lot less of Sheringham Park.

Staff at the Trust fear they will have to surrender public access to large parts of the area after the couple living at Sheringham Hall took over the leasehold on surrounding farmland, including parts which have traditionally been used for parkland.

Paul Doyle (L) and Paul Doyle and Gergely Battha-Pajor (R), own the leasehold of Sheringham Hall and the surrounding farmland (Image: Duncan Baker)

The couple - fund manager Paul Doyle and husband Gergely Battha-Pajor, a banker and also honorary Hungarian consul - say the Trust has been allowing public access to parts of the park where it has no right to do so without consent from the leaseholder.

The two sides are in negotiations about the issue but the Trust is concerned it will have to close some of the trails on the northern part of the site, closest to the coast.

This could mean that some of its best known features - its gazebo and neoclassical domed temple - will become inaccessible, and visitors will no longer be able to walk down towards the sea, as they have done for decades.

Mr Doyle and Mr Battha-Pajor insist they do not have any plans to restrict access.

But the Trust is not so confident and sources there say they have already started drawing up maps showing a shrunken Sheringham Park with restricted access.

The temple at Sheringham Park, which is based on neoclassical designs (Image: Newsquest)

WHAT HAS TRIGGERED THE ROW?

Sheringham Hall, a 19th century, grade II listed property, has been owned by the National Trust since 1987, along with the park and a wider estate covering a large swathe of land on the edge of Sheringham.

The estate is divided up into different leaseholds.

Mr Doyle and Mr Battha-Pajor have lived in Sheringham Hall since 2008 when they took over the leasehold, which was up for sale for £2.35m.

More recently, they became directors of George Youngs Farms, which owns the leasehold of the surrounding farmland, including part of the area currently covered by the park.

Members of the public enjoying a walk through Sheringham Park with rhododendrons in full bloom (Image: Newsquest)

This has alarmed Trust officials, who fear it has implications for Sheringham Park itself and they are in negotiations with the couple about access rights for the site.

While the exact details are unclear, employees have said the new arrangement could mean people may be unable to walk from the beach and clifftop routes and into the park's grounds and use some of its northern areas.

Routes through this section of the park have been used since the National Trust took on the site in 1987, through an agreement with the previous farm tenant.

But this has now ended following the change of ownership of the lease.

Sheringham Hall was built by the Upcher family, who owned the property for more than 150 years (Image: Newsquest)

'A SORRY MESS'

The National Trust said it cannot reveal the exact details of the access issues as it is a private matter between the two organisations.

However, sources working for the charity have said new maps are already being drawn up, which would show the new routes.

An employee, who wished to remain anonymous, has described the situation as a "whole sorry mess".

A spokesman, however, said the Trust remained confident a solution could be found.

Views out to the North Sea from Sheringham Park gardens (Image: Newsquest)

"We can confirm we're in discussion with the company that has recently acquired the business that holds the farm tenancy at Sheringham Park.

"Like any business, this can be bought and sold without the National Trust's involvement. The tenancy itself pre-dates the National Trust’s acquisition of the estate.

"We had a good relationship with the previous company and it's our hope that we can continue to have a positive relationship with the new owner and that they will continue to allow public access within the area of their tenancy."

'NATIONAL TRUST'S MISUNDERSTANDING'

Mr Battha-Pajor, CEO of Sheringham Estate and George Young Farms Ltd, confirmed he was negotiating with the Trust over rights of way and granting consent for the public to use the land.

But he denied the company was seeking to restrict access. 

A map currently available on the National Trust's website showing the walking routes at Sheringham Park (Image: National Trust)

He said: "As far as we are concerned, there is no dispute.

"There have been communications with the NT because they have been allowing the public access, where they have no legal right to do so, without obtaining consent from George Young Farms - the owner and occupier of the farmland which surrounds Sheringham Hall.

"This is due to the NT misunderstanding, for a number of years, the very limited rights it has over the farmland.  

"Access to the public over the farmland can only be granted by George Youngs and we are now discussing with NT how they should arrange access via our company going forward.

"The restriction of access to the public has never been mentioned or discussed."

'IT'S CONCERNING'

Sheringham Park is a major attraction in north Norfolk and is one of nine sites managed by the National Trust in the county.

Its park is known for its abundance of ornamental plants and trees that form its woodland areas.

Tim Adams, leader of North Norfolk District Council (Image: Newsquest)

 Tim Adams, leader of North Norfolk District Council, has said any change to access would be "very concerning".

"Sheringham Park is enjoyed by thousands and is a really important part of our tourism offer in north Norfolk.

"It is very special to many people and is a year-round attraction for locals and visitors.

"It would be very concerning if there were restrictions on public access."

Peter Ratcliffe, Sheringham Town Council mayor, added: "Sheringham Park is an important destination and it is hoped that any concerns about access are readily resolved."

Humphry Repton's designs for Sheringham Hall, which was built early in the 18th century (Image: Humphry Repton)

'FAVOURITE CHILD'

Sheringham Park was owned by the Upcher family from 1811 and members of the family continued to live at the stately home for more than a century.

The park and Grade II listed hall was designed by renowned garden designer Humphry Repton, who described Sheringham as his "favourite and darling child in Norfolk".

The hall was designed in the style of Italian villas and took several years to complete.

It is known for its rhododendron gardens and vast woodlands and is visited by thousands each year.

The National Trust bought the site in 1987 and continues to manage its park grounds.

In 2008, the long-term lease of the hall - 99 years - was offered for sale and was acquired by Paul Doyle.