Burley-in-Wharfedale has probably said goodbye to its final raging bull.

The village's very own bull breeding farm is up for sale and is being marketed as suitable either for restoration as a 'gentleman's residence' a residential stock farm or as an equestrian centre.

The 42 acre site, including Colston House Farm, off Moor Lane was bought in 1947 by the then, Milk Marketing Board, and was expanded, adapted and converted over the years to provide housing for about 90 bulls.

Colston House was adapted to provide office and laboratory space, as well as flats for the centre's employees.

Andrew Black, the agent responsible for the sale, said: "Now that Genus (site owners) have decided to sell the centre it is unlikely that the property will remain a bull farm."

He said: "We are expecting a good deal of interest for the property as a residential holding suited to someone with probably equestrian interests."

Genus have decided to sell in order to concentrate on other sites.

Up for sale is a substantial stone house currently sub-divided into flats, offices and laboratories, two modern three-bedroom detached houses, a large range of modern general purpose farm buildings adapted for bull housing and four fields of productive grassland covering in all 42.48 acres.

The property, for sale as a whole or in lots by private treaty, lies off Moor Lane on the road leading from Burley-in-Wharfedale to Burley Woodhead.

The main house itself - Colston House - offers potential for conversion back to an imposing family house (subject to planning permission) with considerable renovation and restoration required.

To the east of Colston House is a pair of detached cottages of modern construction which were built to accomod ate the farm employees,.

The farm buildings lie on the opposite side of the driveway from the residential properties and comprise a large number of general purpose buildings.

Mike Harris, secretary of Burley Community Council, said: "The news that the bull farm was being sold did come as a surprise to us. We have no problem with the site being sold for agricultural purposes. The buildings are already there and restoration has to be welcomed.

"I don't think we would have any problem with the suggestions put forward for the site. It is green belt land and didn't form part of the Unitary Development Plan. We would be extremely concerned, however, if there was any suggestion of using the 42 acres for building purposes."

l Further details can be obtained from Andrew Black at FPD Savills 13-15 Micklegate, York, YO1 1JH, tel 01904 620731.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.