Trust 'saddened' at future plans for Elvaston Castle

A charity that helps run a stately home and grounds says it is "saddened" at council plans to off-load the site "so suddenly".

Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust said Derbyshire County Council was looking at a proposal to transfer the 17th Century home and country park to an outside organisation.

It comes five months after council bosses scrapped a £35m masterplan and it was deemed "no longer financially viable".

A spokesperson at the county council told the BBC it was "exploring options" for the estate's long-term future, but "no decision had been made".

Under the masterplan, Elvaston Castle had been set to receive a new cafe, access road and car park along with restoration work on many of its listed buildings.

But in November 2024, the council's cabinet agreed to reconsider due to costs rising since the proposal was first submitted.

The trust has worked on several business plans and business models over the past ten years.

But it does not currently believe it would be in the "best interests" of the estate to submit a bid to purchase it under the Asset of Community Value (ACV) legislation.

The legislation is designed to protect community buildings from inappropriate development and changes of use.

The trust has confirmed funding until June 2026.

However, it said, it was "not precluded from talking to anyone interested in acquiring the property".

A spokesman for the trust said: "Our ideal outcome would be an organisation or individual that is committed to public access, has a desire to share and develop the heritage assets at Elvaston and has the funds available, or has a fundraising strategy, to restore the property fully.

"We would be happy to talk to any organisations or individuals who believe they are in a position to do this and require further information or insight."

Derbyshire County Council said it was inviting interest from organisations that may be capable of taking on the estate and a formal notice would be published allowing for "public engagement".

The council added it has discussed the proposal with the trust which is "supportive".

"Elvaston Castle requires significant investment to secure its future, and the council is not best placed to provide this," a spokesperson said.

"No decisions have been made, and the council remains committed to protecting this much-loved heritage site for its communities.

"The estate costs around £400,000 a year to run, and with ongoing financial pressures, we need to explore sustainable solutions.

"We remain open-minded and welcome discussions with community groups and other potential partners."

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