Fears large swathes of one of the National Trust's most important treasures could be CLOSED to the public amid row with wealthy couple living in £2.35m Grade II listed mansion on site

A large swathe of one of the National Trust's most important treasures could be closed off to the public over a row with a wealthy couple who took over the leasehold on surrounding farmland.

Fund manager Paul Doyle and husband Gergely Battha-Pajor, a banker and honorary Hungarian consul, say the organisation has been allowing people access to parts of the Sheringham Park in Norfolk without their permission.

The two sides are in negotiations but Trust sources have revealed it is already starting to update maps to show a reduced site.

Areas that visitors would no longer be able to visit include trails on the northern side that lead to the coast and which pass a gazebo and neoclassical domed temple are located.

A Trust employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, branded the situation a 'whole sorry mess'.

Sheringham Hall, a Grade II-listed early 19th century property in the style of an Italian villa, has been owned by the National Trust since 1987, along with the park and a wider estate, which is divided into separate leaseholds.

Mr Doyle and Mr Battha-Pajor moved into the hall in 2008, when they took over the leasehold for a 99-year term which had been on the market for £2.35 million.

They later became directors of George Young Farms Ltd, which grows various crops and raises cattle, and holds the leasehold of the surrounding farmland including the land currently used by visitors to the park.

Although the couple say they don't have plans to restrict access, insiders at the Trust – which had an agreement with the previous farm tenant - fear this may not remain the case.

A spokesman said: '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.'

Mr Battha-Pajor, who is chief executive of Sheringham Estate and George Young Farms Ltd, confirmed negotiations were ongoing about access.

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

'There have been negotiations with the NT because they have been allowing the public access, where they have no legal right to do so, without obtaining permission 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 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.'

Mr Doyle is Executive Director, Head of Europe ex-UK Equities for US-owned Columbia Threadneedle Investments, which manages assets of over £500 billion.

The park, which was originally owned by the wealthy Upcher family form 1811, was designed by Humphry Repton, who lived from 1752 to 1818 and is often regarded as the successor to Capability Brown. He described Sheringham as his 'favourite and darling child in Norfolk'.

Repton's eldest son, John Repton, drew the designs for the Hall.

It is one of nine National Trust sites in the county and attracts thousands of visitors every year with its ornamental plants and trees.

Tim Adams, leader of North Norfolk District Council, said: 'It is 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.'