£35m transformation plan for Elvaston Castle revealed

Detailed plans have been revealed for the proposed £35 million restoration and transformation of Elvaston Castle.

Following a public consultation, Elvaston Castle and Garden Trust, in partnership with Derbyshire County Council, is preparing planning applications to restore the 321-acre Derbyshire estate, including its many listed buildings and historic features.

Regeneration of the site, which will remain a free at the point of entry country park, is expected to create more than 170 new jobs and increase the number of visitors from its current 240,000 a year.

The money for the project will come from a mix of public and private investment, including bids to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and substantial investment from the county council itself.

Councillor Tony King, cabinet member for clean growth and regeneration, said: “In normal times, Elvaston Castle and Country Park is enjoyed by people from all over Derbyshire so it's no surprise that so many wanted to contribute their own ideas, many of which have been included in our masterplan.

“We believe this restoration will secure the future of Elvaston Castle and Country Park for generations to come by making it a sustainable visitor attraction that can stand on its own two feet, saving millions of pounds for Derbyshire council tax-payers who currently pay for the upkeep of the estate.”

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Once the home of the Earls of Harrington, the Stanhope family left Elvaston Castle after the Second World War.

Derbyshire County Council rescued the site in the 1960s when it was threatened by development for mining and turned it into a country park.

But in recent decades, the council has struggled to meet rising running costs, with a number of bids to provide the site with a sustainable future proving unsuccessful.

Now, it is hoped that the latest plan will secure Elvaston Castle’s future for the long-term.

A key element of the plan is to reduce traffic through local villages and improve visitor access to the site, which sits five miles south-east of Derby city.

To divert traffic away from local villages, a new entrance and access drive will be located closer to the A6 and take visitors more quickly into the heart of the estate.

Subject to planning permission, other proposed developments include bringing many of the historic buildings back into use as retail, office and workshop space or holiday cottages.

Other upgrades include a new main cafe, adventure playground and improved camping facilities.

The upper floor of the castle itself would be turned into suites, which could be let out for weddings and other events.

The county council has said its long-term plan is to hand the day-to-day running of the estate to Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust (ECGT).

Trust chairman Dr Peter Robinson said: “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity and the thoughts and ideas contributed by locals and the wider Derbyshire community have been invaluable in shaping this plan.

“Like many people, I love Elvaston and visit frequently with family and friends.

“We have five years of hard work in front of us, but we’re determined to bring the castle, gardens and wider parkland back to life.

“We are committed to opening up much more of the estate to the public, including the three courtyards of beautiful stable buildings, which include a blacksmith’s forge, gas engine and the remains of an original ‘real tennis’ court.”