THE battle to save Burton Croft erupted into controversy today after the grandson of John Bowes Morrell hit out at the University of York for snubbing the campaign to get the threatened building listed.

Developers want to demolish the former home of the famous York conservationist in Burton Stone Lane, York, for plush flats.

Campaigners believe the best way to stop Barratt bulldozers is to get the house listed for historical reasons.

But when Peter Morrell called on the help of the university - an institution his grandfather founded - he claimed he received short shrift.

Supporters hoped the university would back the campaign, as J B Morrell gave it Burton Croft for student housing before the institution sold it to a health trust.

Dr Morrell today told the Evening Press he was "bowled over" by the university's reaction.

He said: "I was very disappointed. We were not asking them to get involved in a controversial planning application, just to support the name of my grandfather in the listing application."

Dr Morrell, who lectures at Cranfield University, said: "I'm not really criticising them for selling the house. They have a university to run and I understand that.

"But we were quite bowled over by the fact they would not help."

Dr Morrell said he wrote to the university's vice chancellor, Brian Cantor, for support. When he received no response he said he was told by phone the institution did not get involved in such issues.

As already reported, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell ruled that J B Morrell was not famous enough for listed status to be bestowed on the Burton Stone Lane property.

Dr Morrell plans to challenge that decision and says it "totally disregards his (grandfather's) national recognition".

Philip Thake, York Conservation Trust chief executive, said he was "appalled" by the university's stance. Of all the city dignitaries he wrote to calling for support, the university was the only one that did not respond, he said.

Mr Thake said: "I do not think that when the family gave it away they would ever have envisaged it being sold for a profit."

The University of York was not available for comment.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said listed building applications could be reviewed if new evidence was presented.

Revised plans by Barratt York for flats at Burton Croft have been deferred by councillors. The homebuilder's first set of rejected plans are due to go to a public inquiry.

Updated: 10:27 Thursday, July 15, 2004