ONE of York's landmark buildings is to be placed in new hands, if city councillors give the scheme the go ahead.

York Conservation Trust (YCT) wants to buy the city's De Grey Rooms and De Grey House.

Next week City of York Council's executive will be asked to rubber stamp the proposal.

The trust, a charitable organisation which owns dozens of York's most ancient properties, wants to add the 19th century buildings into its portfolio and ensure they remain protected for the community.

Cash raised from the sale, which property experts say could fetch more than £1 million, will be used to generate a "capital receipt".

As part of its sale, YCT said it was prepared to lease back De Grey House to the council for an interim period. The building currently houses some council employees.

YCT is also to allow the Tourist Information Centre to continue on the ground floor, as proposals to relocate it are still under review.

The buildings are Grade II* listed. De Grey House was built in 1835 and extended in 1910, while the De Grey Rooms were built in 1841.

A recent survey of both buildings revealed than an estimated £607,127 of repair and maintenance works were outstanding.

Bringing the building up to the standards required by the Disability Discrimination Act would cost at least £300,000.

A council report states: "It has been accepted that the buildings are unsuitable for long-term service delivery, ie tourist information/council offices."

The YCT was formed in 1945 by Dr John Bowes Morrell and his brother, Cuthbert, who bought and restored medieval properties.

The trust aims to preserve for the people of York buildings which are of beauty, historical, archaeological or constructional interest. At present, it owns and runs 61 buildings, some of which are among the city's most well known, including The Red House and the Assembly Rooms.

Philip Thake, of the YCT, said: "The council obviously wants to try and find suitable people to take on some of their buildings and we have shown an interest.

"We are a property charity. Our job is to look into properties in York, purchase them and retain them for the benefit of the people of York.

"We would make it available for functions and someone may take a tenancy as well."

Councillors will consider the scheme on December 14.

Updated: 10:14 Wednesday, December 08, 2004