ELVASTON CASTLE

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Mr D M Williamson is worthy of response. The Friends of Elvaston would like to provide some answers to questions raised. The reason the estate was purchased was because it was recognised by central government during the 1960s that public open space was beneficial to the population for the reasons of promoting good health. So the county council, through the Countryside Commission, provided 75% of funding to acquire the Elvaston Estate in order to establish a country park, the first in England. The agreement with the Countryside Commission was that Derby borough and Derbyshire county councils, would, over a 25-year period, manage the estate and make it self-supporting.

With boundary changes in 1974 the estate became the sole responsibility of the county council, which has admitted its failure in this respect. Mr Williamson states; "All the county council has done is maintain the gardens and cut the grass." We would agree. The council claims that this exercise costs hundreds of thousands of pounds annually. Mr Williamson remarks that as a gardener himself, he would have closed the grounds completely. This would contradict the reason for its establishment. He would also add a paying turnstile to help maintain the grounds and gardens.

The council has already done this in the form of community charges and a car parking fee. Mr Williamson also comments on the fact that there are people at the park in wet weather, who, he says, damage the grass. His statement proves the value to the community of the country park, which people enjoy in all weathers. The gentleman urges the restoration of the castle by the developer, stating that "this will be a splendid retreat for us." We would hope he can afford the possible £120-per-night fee.

Free public access will be denied to the castle. So, to most of the present users this will not provide a splendid retreat. He also says, "Get the castle restored to its former glory." This is the objective of the Friends of Elvaston, not as a retreat for the few, but as a haven for the community. Lanarca's consultation has cost the taxpayer dearly. £25,000 does not buy the right to drive a road through public opinion and then walk away from the consequences. Graham Mansey, Secretary of the Friends of Elvaston

In what way are we losing the Castle? At the moment it is empty and closed and has been for years. The only loss of access will be to the souless courtyard. The plans will breathe new life into this building and bring jobs to the area. The park will be restored to its former glory. As an aside I have just taken my daily jaunt through the grounds and, as usual on a weekday, seemed to be the only person there. I think the public have voted with their feet a long time ago.

Nothing will stop Mrs Longworth walking freely in the major part of the Castle grounds. I and my husband use the park almost daily, being local residents, and anticipate doing so for a long time to come. I would say that a beautifully restored garden, a top notch hotel and restaurant and the jobs they will attract for local people will be an asset. There has been a very open and extensive consultation process, in my opinion. Mrs Ellerby

Elvaston Castle is the inheritence of the people of Derbyshire. Its guardians, Derbyshire County Council have failed in their task in maintaining the house and thereby losing countless opportunities to raise funds which could bring communities together and which could contribute financially if not pay outright for the upkeep of the Castle and Grounds. Short sighted people like Mrs Ellerby should look past the next 5 or even 10 years, and ask who will want the failing hotel and the little used golf courses?

The land and beauty they have taken up gone forever, and in their place, more concrete and more maintenance. Derbyshire County Council do your duty, and if you can't, do the honorable thing and resign, so that more people capable can. It is possible to run events which could contribute to the cost of running the Castle. If a large amount of money needs to be spent it is because the Council failed to spend a small amount on repairs in the first place.Why does it insist on allowing a company to do what the majority of people dont want and which others have failed in the past to achieve because it is not feasible. Linda Patas

Mrs Ellerby states that nothing will stop Mrs Longworth from walking freely in the major part of Elvaston Castle grounds. Nothing, that is, except for several roads and the vehicles they carry, two (or more) golf courses, and the restrictions to personal freedom for park users this represents. Mrs Ellerby states that she uses the park daily, and anticipates doing so for a long time to come. If Derbyshire County Council gets its way and disposes of the estate, Mr and Mrs Ellerby's free-wandering ways will be over.

Highgate Sanctuary has claimed the local nature reserve for the golf course, and the area around the castle will be closed to the public. As for a beautiful restored garden, top-notch hotel and jobs provided for local people, her argument on behalf of the developers is again flawed. A beautifully restored garden with a road driven through it is not what the users of the park want. A top-notch hotel less than three minutes away by car is in the hands of administrators and many more jobs than a hotel would attract could be created by turning the estate into a first-class visitor facility for the many tourists who come to Elvaston.

Continued free and open public access to the estate for all members of the community is essential. Another correspondent recently asked "what can be done" with reference to stopping the loss of the country park. Our answer is to join the Friends of Elvaston in fighting to stop private companies from laying hands on what is a much needed, and greatly appreciated, public asset. Graham Mansey, Secretary, Friends of Elvaston

E Ellerby yet again supports the disposal of the Elvaston Castle estate, 325 acres of public open space, enjoyed by 700,000 visitors annually, even in inclement weather, as E Ellerby has previously pointed out. E Ellerby asks, "In what way are we losing Elvaston Castle? It is empty and closed and has been for years". It is neither empty, nor closed, E Ellerby.

There is a very popular cafe within the castle and schoolchildren have enjoyed Christmases in the gothic hall. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust's offices were based there until Derbyshire County Council required the castle to be empty for the prospective developers to have vacant possession. There are weddings, craft fairs, art exhibitions and open days with guided tours.

People have been working in the castle cataloguing museum items for a number of years, in preparation for their disposal. These items were purchased out of Derbyshire taxpayers' money and are part of our heritage. Psychic fairs, ghost walks, and seances, all are still being held within the castle. Most Haunted, a television series, recently filmed episodes there throughout the interior of the castle.

The castle will be lost, E Ellerby, to the 700,000 visitors annually, the majority of whom will be unable to afford to enter the luxury hotel complex. What also will be lost is the opportunity to reinstate horse riding facilities for disabled children, and the reopening of the Working Farm Museum, enjoyed by many thousands of schoolchildren.

E Ellerby states, "The plans will breathe new life into the building and bring jobs to the area. The park will be restored to its former glory." This can and should be done by a not-for-profit community trust for the benefit of the entire community. She or he also claims, "The only loss of access will be to the soulless courtyard". For me, the area which is soulless is the area where the people are gathered who are attempting to deprive the community of a beautiful asset to our city and county. Alex Devlin