Talks are ongoing with hotel developer Rushbond PLC and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park over plans for the historic estate, which include a luxury hotel and conference facility, a council report said this week.

Council bosses were close to reaching an agreement with the sculpture park for a proposed research facility focussed on arts, landscape and the environment.

The sculpture park is understood to be in discussions with York, Huddersfield and Manchester Universities and The Henry Moore Institute, based in Leeds, about the plan, which includes studio space for design and media companies.

Rushbond’s hotel and spa proposal is also close to being agreed.

The report to Wednesday’s meeting of the local economy overview and scrutiny committee said: “Negotiations are at an advanced stage and it is hoped legal documentation will be finalised in the near future for cabinet ratification.”