Leeds West plans panel was discussing proposals to change the use of Spenfield, a former health spa close to the Village Hotel at Headingley.

The Gothic house was designed by George Corson, architect of the Grand Theatre, and was built in 1875-7. It is listed grade two star, putting it in the top six per cent of listed buildings nationally.

Coun Tom Leadley (Ind, Morley North) said: "We should inquire if a Russian billionaire wishes to preserve this house. It is no use having a management scheme which runs out of cash and these excellent rooms decay.

"They are almost as good as new although they were built in the 1800s. It was really astonishing to see them.
"You expected a shabby Victorian mansion splattered with buckets of magnolia, but it was not like that."

The owners want to partly demolish Spenfield, convert it into six flats, and build a terrace of seven houses and a residential gatehouse.

The entrance hall and stairway would not be converted to flats but would be used as communal rooms by residents and also the public on open days.
Planning officer Christine Naylor, who gave a progress report on the proposals, said the quality of the interior was very impressive. Two rooms would be kept in "museum" condition.

"The Civic Trust objects to the conversion of the house itself," she said. "They think it would be better to have a non-residential use to preserve it."
Coun Brian Jennings (Con, Weetwood) thought conversion was the right way to conserve the building and he liked proposals for a new block of houses, but he was concerned about parking.

Coun Mick Coulson (Lab, Pudsey) disagreed. "I think the new block is too intensive. It's like putting them in a shoebox," he said.

Coun David Morton (Lib Dem, Headingley) said: "We would be bonkers to approve this scheme now when there are so many things wrong with it."
Planning officers will continue to talk to the owners.