Reading Borough Council's Local Plan suggests as many as 45 dwellings could be built at Caversham Park Estate

Councillor Tony Page told the Chronicle that the immense value of the land should not be ignored, with the broadcaster currently in the process of marketing the site.

The lead member for Planning said he would not object to a residential development project, but he would be concerned if the protected trees or open spaces were threatened.

Cllr Page said: "The whole of the extensive grounds that make up the site is a Listed Historic Park and Garden.

"The council is quite insistent that while the building would lend itself to some form of residential or commercial development, that we are opposed to the loss of open space surrounding the building.

"The importance of the land is fundamental and we would resist any proposals to slap lots of new houses on the site and we would have the support of English Heritage.

"While there is the possibility of a residential development, the integrity of the building is important and open space should be retained.

"Open space is something I think we would fight for strongly. This is an extremely important and sensitive site."

The Grade II site was put up for sale without seeking planning permission after the BBC announced cuts of £4m.

A draft version of Reading Borough Council's Local Plan suggests 40-45 dwellings could be built by the successful bidder, but the council insists that no development will harm the historic interest or the protected trees on the land.

Caversham Park was purchased by the BBC in the 1940s and became the headquarters for the monitoring service.

A BBC spokesman added: "During the marketing process, we have taken advice from a number of professional bodies to ensure that a successful bidder will understand the planning restrictions for the site, including the restrictions on the development of the existing landscape.

"The successful bidder will be subject to the Council's own planning procedure for any proposed development.”