ELVASTON CASTLE

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The Friends of Elvaston action group have stopped the development of Elvaston Castle by applying to the High Court for a judicial review. FOE claims the county council failed to consult properly with the general public under the terms specified in the 1972 Local Government Act.

Graham Mansey, the secretary of the Friends of Elvaston action group, said, "We've exhausted all means possible to avoid having to resort to taking legal action. We have lobbied councillors, politicians and organisations which we believed were in place to protect such public assets but have so far achieved little by doing so. We have every confidence that we will win our High Court case. If we win, the county council will have to carry out a proper public consultation."

The FOE employed a Staffordshire-based legal team, and was appealing for donations to help pay for the action, which is expected to cost several thousand pounds. A county council spokeswoman confirmed the council would not complete the lease but would continue to negotiate the terms.

She added, "We will be defending any proceedings should they go ahead because we believe there was extensive consultation, the Local Government Ombudsman has looked at that point and found we have done it correctly, and we believe this is the best way forward for the castle and grounds." (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph)

To contribute to the appeal click here

People who felt they did not have their say on the future of Elvaston Castle and Country Park have been given new hope thanks to legal action by campaigners. So far residents have had opportunities to comment on plans to restore the gardens and proposals to turn the stately home into a hotel. But the consultation exercises have been carried out separately. Now the county council, which owns the site, is proposing that it should allow people to consider the plans for the whole estate.

Graham Mansey, secretary of the Friends of Elvaston action group, applied to the High Court for a judicial review, alleging that consultation had not been properly conducted. The council said it would not complete the lease with Highgate Sanctuary while legal proceedings were continuing. Mr Mansey alleged that the public had a "legitimate expectation" that consultation on the overall development would be carried out, but it never was, as a council report confirms. The application for a judicial review also states that the public notice detailing plans to award a lease for the castle should have included the castle's price, which has not yet been revealed.

The cabinet is being recommended to agree that the price should be published. This would be printed if the authority agrees to proceed with the project. Mr Mansey said, "The Friends will not accept anything less on behalf of the community than a consultation regarding the disposal of 325 acres of public open space, which also encompasses the holistic plan (the sustainable future for the entire Estate), which is carried out according to the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Consultation, as recommended by the Prime Minister." (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph)

Highgate Sanctuary revealed their plan for Elvaston Castle and Country Park. They will reopen the original access road for hotel guests from the A6 via the Golden Gates through the gardens and have a restricted speed limit to make it safer for pedestrians walking through the park. The ground floor of the castle is to be turned into bars and lounges, and the upper floors restored and converted into 19 bedroom suites. New buildings are to be built around the side of the courtyard to house the remaining 140 bedrooms, reception, gym, swimming pool, conference rooms and a restaurant. Access to the courtyard would be for hotel users only.

Tanya Spilsbury, managing director of Highgate, said that non-guests would be able to use hotel facilities such as the restaurant and leisure centre, the golf club and would be able to tour the castle during special open days. She said, "We've looked at what is at the castle and the whole feel of the estate and have tried to fit in with that. It's about giving the building a sustainable use but also being sensitive to the historic elements."

Ms Spilsbury said there was almost enough space on fields and the nature reserve within the estate to build an 18-hole golf course, but an extra 100 acres of land would need to be secured to add a second 18-hole course. Graham Mansey, secretary of the Friends of Elvaston, responded, "The truth is finally out, public access will be severely curtailed, people using the park will have to dodge cars and golf balls, and there will be no access to the courtyard. As we have stated all along, this amounts to nothing more than corporate theft." (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph)

Click here to see the plan.

I have a brochure entitled Elvaston Castle Country Park. Beneath the title on the front cover is "Derbyshire County Council - we're proud of Derbyshire". The contents describe the history of the Harrington family and that of the castle and park. But the most interesting item in the brochure appears on the last page and I reproduce it here.

"No visit to Elvaston is complete without seeing the Golden Gates. Erected at the south end of the formal gardens in 1819, they were brought from the Palace of Versailles by Charles Stanhope, the third Earl of Harrington. Their earlier history is vague but it is thought that these magnificent carriage gates may have originated at the royal palace in Madrid and found their way to France as part of Napoleon's loot. Whatever their story, the Golden Gates have become a symbol of Elvaston. Today, Derbyshire County Council welcomes visits to the country park, which is open to the public throughout the year, providing a very wide range of interest and activity. The gardens remain a source of much pleasure, whether it is the formal parterre garden or the Old English Garden with its herbaceous borders and rambling roses. The lakeside walk, too, is popular, with the chance to identify many species of wildfowl. School parties regularly visit the park, enjoying the open-air nature trail and learning at first hand about the protection of wildlife and conservation of the environment. The park ranger service operates to give information and advice to young and old alike and the rangers are expert in natural history and conservation matters. The magnificent trees, which William Barron planted in such variety along the avenues and in the Pine turn, have reached their full glory and, just as he planned, his winter garden provides beauty and colour in every season. Above all, Elvaston Castle Country Park ensures that everyone may share in the freedom and enjoyment of the countryside."

On the back cover is repeated "Derbyshire County Council - we're proud of Derbyshire." I thought this may be of interest in view of the total contradictory attitude of the current council. Les Dodd