The council wants to lease the building to a hotel firm

The Friends of Elvaston Castle pledge to keep fighting the scheme at later stages, with 50 of them waving placards at Wednesday's meeting at County Hall.

Despite this, Derbyshire county councillors rubber-stamped moves to lease the castle to Highgate Sanctuary.

Councillor Bob Janes said: "People will still be able to access the parts of the park currently open to the public."

Public access

But the Friends of Elvaston Castle said a pledge of 60% public access was not enough as campaigners do not want to go to the golf course or hotel bar.

Pete Thomalla, from the campaign group, said: "They want access round the nature areas and the woodland walks as they are now and the core gardens."

Bids were previously considered from several groups and the executive backed the hotel and golf club scheme, despite concern over public access and fears about a private firm taking over.

Thousands of people signed a petition calling for the site to remain fully open to the public.

The council said it needed a private company to help with running costs but pledge the castle and park would stay in public hands.

The council will continue to own the castle and grounds.