THE owners of a 12th century Suffolk priory last night moved to calm fears that the historic remains were being neglected by unveiling multi million pound plans for the site.

THE owners of a 12th century Suffolk priory last night moved to calm fears that the historic remains were being neglected by unveiling multi million pound plans for the site.

Frederick and Jane May have revealed ambitious proposals to transform part of the grade two-listed St Bartholomew's Priory, in Sudbury, into a conference centre, wedding venue and restaurant.

The disgruntled couple claimed previous bid to renovate the site - which includes one of Britain's oldest surviving chapels - had come up against problems with Babergh District Council repeatedly “changing the goalposts”.

And they countered any criticism about the condition of the priory, which they say they have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds preserving following discussions with Babergh and English Heritage.

Mrs May told the EADT: “It is so annoying when people say we are neglecting the buildings. From our experiences, the district council has been working against us when they should be supporting us for the sake of the priory. I find the whole thing extremely sad and frustrating.

“The priory has been in our family for more than 100 years and we are well aware of the importance of it in Sudbury and the country as a whole.”

The couple spoke out after members of the Sudbury History Society said they were deeply concerned about the condition of the priory.

But Mrs May retorted: “The buildings are structurally more sound. The north wing of the house was in a state of collapse, which has been rectified, the roof has been totally renewed and the chapel roof is in mint condition.”

And the couple's current plans have received the backing of the National Farmer's Union (NFU), which encourages the renovation of farm buildings - like the structures they plan to restore and sell on to help fund their conference centre plans.

David Card, NFU group secretary for the Stowmarket and Sudbury branches, said: “These very special buildings were built from the wealth created by farming many centuries ago, but today it needs a new stream of wealth from new businesses to maintain them for the future.”

Consisting of a former prior's house, tithe barn and a 15th century Grade II listed chapel, the St Bartholomew's Priory site was originally a small Benedictine cell founded around 1114. Twelve priors and 40 monks are believed to have been buried on the site.

A spokesman for Babergh said: “We would welcome any proposal that ensures the appropriate development of the existing buildings on the site, as would other bodies such as English Heritage.

“We have informed the Mays of this time and time again.

“Unfortunately, the only proposals they have come up with are totally inappropriate, involving the development of what is earmarked as a non-residential site.

“We would urge them to submit an application relating to the existing buildings alone.”