A 17th Century stately home should not be divided up, councillors have decided.
North Yorkshire County Council is keen to see Grade II-listed Grantley Hall, near Ripon, which it owns, remain in public ownership if possible.
Members of the Ripon area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council have been consulted on the future of the building.
They have backed a planning brief from their conservation and design manager, David Rhodes, who said a range of options, including turning it into a hotel or rural training centre, should be examined.
The future of Grantley Hall, which stands in 30 acres, is under review because the county council decided it was uneconomical to run.
The hall will continue to operate as an adult education centre until March 31 next year. It is also used for conferences and training, as well as a community course centre. In addition, it is hired for social events and is licensed to host weddings.
The hall was previously owned by the former West Riding County Council, passing to North Yorkshire in 1974.
It was once the home of the first Lord Furness, originally being owned by the Norton family, Barons Grantley of Markenfield.
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