The future of a historic stately home and park entrusted to be kept in public ownership has been thrown into doubt after the leaseholders gave up running the property.

The Grade II-listed Northdown House in Cliftonville, Margate is owned by Thanet District Council and has been rented and managed on the authority’s behalf by Your Leisure.

However, the council has now revealed the lease has been terminated and officers will now be starting a full review of the house and the surrounding park will be carried out.

It comes after unconfirmed reports businesses rent out rooms and space within the 163-year-old building have been given three months to move out.

Cliftonville East ward member Cllr Barry Manners (Con) worries that “rot could set in” to the Victorian mansion.

He said: “The problem we are going to have is that, like the Winter Gardens, the rot will set in.

“The council does not have a great deal of money so I wonder if will it be possible to find a commercial partner willing to help complete any work.”

The Tory representative believes creativity and collaboration are needed to find a new purpose or leaseholder.

He points out Northdown House does not lend itself well to a community space due to its history as a family home.

Cllr Manners added: “We need to have a collaboration so we make the best decisions for the council’s assets.

“They have to provide direct community benefit.

“Northdown House is one of a number of many many assets that need proper oversight and scrutiny.”

The stately home sits within Northdown Park, a valued green space in the heart of Cliftonville.

It was left to the people of Margate in 1937 by the Friend family, and there was an uproar in 2008 when Thanet District Council deemed it surplus to requirements and tried to dispose of it.

However, after seeking legal advice, it was revealed that the house had restrictive covenants preventing the sale.

Now, the council will be conducting a review of all the facilities at the park, which includes The Secret Jungle play area and The Coach House and similarly to the situation at the Winter Gardens, assessments of the building’s condition are expected to take place.

A Thanet District Council spokesman said: “We plan to conduct a full review of the whole of Northdown Park, now that Your Leisure is terminating its lease for Northdown House.

“This review will look at existing leases and uses for the various facilities and buildings within the park.

“It will involve an assessment of the existing structures to determine their condition and identify any necessary repairs.

“We'll decide what improvements need to be made when we're clearer about how the site will be used in the future.

“Responsibility for the renovations will be based on the types of leases we offer.”

"Until the review is complete, no decision will be made about marketing or renewing current leases at Northdown House or the Secret Jungle."

Your Leisure was approached for comment.