Elvaston Castle is one of Britain's most 'at risk' historic buildings
CAMPAIGNERS claim Elvaston Castle is "at risk" and needs urgent work to save from falling into decay.
Activist group Save Britain's Heritage has highlighted the grade II* listed building in a new catalogue featuring Britain's endangered properties.
Rhiannon Tracy, officer for the Buildings at Risk project, said: "Apart from a café on the ground floor, Elvaston Castle is mostly vacant and this is a major problem.
"Although the building is weather proof and secure, the upper floors are in a derelict state. Some kind of sustainable solution for the house is needed urgently.
"It could deteriorate further unless it is saved and it is definitely worth saving."
Derbyshire county councillors decided in 2001 that they needed to offload the former stately home because they could not afford to pay for its £500,000 annual costs.
They selected developer Highgate Sanctuary – behind plans to turn the building into a hotel – as preferred bidder for the site. It would lease the adjoining country park – visited by tens of thousands of people each year – back to the council. But a planning application for the change is unlikely to be submitted until the end of this year or beginning of next.
In response to the claims from Save, a spokeswoman from the council said: "We've worked hard to secure the necessary grant funding to allow us to carry out the fullest possible programme of repair work.
"The results of a report we're now considering will inform a strategic options appraisal that is being jointly funded by us and English Heritage. The strategic options appraisal will help establish the optimum viable uses for Elvaston Castle."
She said repair work was currently being carried out.
A spokesman for the Friends of Elvaston Castle said: "Any outside recognition of the necessity to preserve and protect Elvaston Castle is welcome. The Friends of Elvaston advised SAVE of the true situation at the castle as long ago as 2004.
"We feel the council could easily raise the money to run the estate itself with weddings alone judging by the number of inquiries sent to the Friends of Elvaston."
Elvaston Castle is one of four Derbyshire buildings in the catalogue. A former grammar school in Chapel Street, Belper, a derelict farmhouse, in Hardybarn Lane, Green Fairfield and an 18th-century farmhouse in Old Blackwell are also listed as at risk.
The Belper property – known as the Brettles Building – was built as a grammar school in the 1840s but has been vacant for a decade.
Rhiannon Tracy, of Save, said: "With the right scheme, its reuse could give a tremendous boost to the town."
12 Comments
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by Joanne, Derbys
Wednesday, May 04 2011, 1:09AM
“Elvaston Castle and Park must be preserved, and kept for the public for all time.
We visit frequently- and it is always packed with families and people who clearly cherish the whole experience of a beautiful forest, green spaces, and historic building.
This is rare in an urban area, and must be preserved at all costs.
Judging by the FB group- it has huge public support!
I certainly intend to add my support to any campaign.
Talking of "big society" projects: I think this would attract locals and visitors in droves.”
by Christopher, Derby
Tuesday, May 03 2011, 7:51PM
“@grumpysox, ashbourne, according to agreements between English Heritage, the listed building's owner/lessee and the City Council, St. Helen's House should be opened to the public at certain agreed times in order to comply with various conditions that are applied to Grade I Listed buildings of this kind. So the answer to your question about access, should be a YES.”
by Christopher, Derby
Tuesday, May 03 2011, 7:46PM
“@John, Alvaston, it does certainly seem to be the way you say, I agree with your comments.
Looking back over the years there have been many historic buildings that should have been saved. Markeaton Hall is possibly the most significant as the Council at the time promised that they would preserve and restore the building. The hall was consequently left to deteriorate for a number of years until the Council claimed that demolition was the only option. It was the loss of Markeaton Hall that started the Civic Society's actions to save other buildings.
The Assembly Room had a hole in its roof and was entirely repairable but yet again the Council let it fall into disrepair and eventually knocked it down.
However I have heard that Sir Hugh Casson, who designed the current Assembly Rooms, did not want to have the old classical building standing next to his 1960s modernist concrete and glass structure.”
by ian, Derby
Tuesday, May 03 2011, 1:08PM
“Hilton ram
Derby council house = derby city council
Elvaston = Derbyshire country council”
by HiltonRam, Still in Hilton
Monday, May 02 2011, 9:42PM
“Now the old grey matter is turning why not sell what must be prime building land that the Council House sits on whether it be to a hotel Group or Apartment development, Then create new offices on Nottingham Road Services site not 5 minutes from the existing Council House. Again just a thought and I might be over simplifying.”
by HiltonRam, Hilton (Suprisingly)
Monday, May 02 2011, 9:28PM
“Just a thought but why not turn it in to council offices for general functions. Then just open city offices for dealing with the public directly. Surely this would be a cheaper option than paying for an £80 million pound refurbishment of a far less attractive building. It would also have the added advantage of reducing traffic to the city centre and create an ease of access for staff. It is also nearer to the most densly populated dwellings of Alvaston, Allenton, Oakwood, etc. since that side of our city is most populated. As I said just a thought and it potentially saves the tax payer millions to be used on more essential services and support.”
by Bryan, Derbyshire
Monday, May 02 2011, 4:56PM
“@grumpysox, ashbourne, I spoke to some students last month who had spoken to Richard Blunt and asked for permission to take some photos of the inside of St. Helen's House. not only were they given permission but they had a guided tour. Part of the agreement is that the house will be open for public viewing on special open days which are yet to be arranged.”
by grumpysox, ashbourne
Monday, May 02 2011, 3:04PM
“Bryan Derbyshire
Thankyou for your update
So my old school has been saved
Does that mean it is open to the public now for old boys like me to view”
by paul, Borrowash
Monday, May 02 2011, 2:16PM
“Well said, John Alvaston, it is a scandal that the county council have let this drag on for so long. How serious are these developers? Or are they just waiting for the castle to deteriorate to such a state that it cannot be repaired.”
by John, Alvaston
Monday, May 02 2011, 1:48PM
“This strategy of deliberate neglect seems to be par for the course with Councils. They have properties that they decide they(not electors) don't want so they allow them to deteriorate to the extent that even though they may be grade 1 listed they become unsafe and have to be demolished. EG Markeaton, Darley and almost Allestree Park. No one should be fooled by the diversionary tactics of telling us that they are about to lease the property. How long does it take to do this deal. All smoke and mirrors. Get it fixed”