PLANS have been unveiled to transform a Georgian country estate into a major visitor attraction.

The development at Middleton Lodge, near Middleton Tyas, between Richmond and Darlington, would include a conference centre and restaurant.

Plans for a lake with a 330ft fountain have been dropped

But a 165ft fountain is still planned, along with the restoration of the estate's kitchen garden.

Consultants say the scheme could create up to 50 jobs and pump £1.5m a year into the economy.

The project is the idea of 27-year-old James Allison, whose father, Geoffrey, bought the 18th Century estate in 1980.

The family company, Sherburn Stone, runs nearby Barton Quarry and the development would be funded by an extension to the quarry.

Part of the extended quarry would be landscaped to form the lake, fountain and a stone maze, once the minerals had been extracted.

It would then be opened to the public, along with the estate's existing woodland and gardens.

The listed stable block would be converted into the conference centre and restaurant-cum-cafe.

The restaurant would be supplied with fresh produce from the kitchen garden, which would also be open to the public.

Mr Allison, who studied engineering at Oxford and building at Darlington College of Technology, declined to put a cost on the project.

But he said that all the money generated from the quarry extension would be put back into the development.

He said: "I've lived here all my life and I'm genuinely very passionate about the place.

"I want to restore it to its former glory and ensure that its sustainable for the next 100 years.

"I want to create something stunning, whether you come for a conference, a cup of tea and a look round the garden - or if you live here, like I do."

Mr Allison hopes to submit a planning application to North Yorkshire County Council as early as next month.

He estimates it would be five years before the estate was opened to the public.

A consultation with local villagers is already taking place.

Concerns about the level of traffic created by the development have led to plans for a garden centre being dropped.

It is hoped the majority of visitors will exit the A1 at Barton junction and avoid local villages.