 The gardens will remain open to the public |
Visitors to a Derbyshire castle are being asked for their views on the future of its gardens. The county council, which owns the Elvaston estate, is applying for a �10m lottery grant to restore its gardens.
The council plans to lease the rest of the site, including Elvaston Castle, to a private company which will turn it into a hotel and golf course.
Some local residents have opposed the castle plans saying they have not been adequately consulted.
99-year lease
The plans for the 185-acre gardens are separate from a major redevelopment of the castle.
Rachel McCormack, who is running the consultation process for Derbyshire County Council, said: "A lot of people have asked us about public access and whether people will still be able to walk around the gardens and we have said yes.
"Public access is very important for the future of a site that is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund."
Visitors are being asked to offer suggestions to the garden design team as part of the consultation process.
The council has appointed Highgate Sanctuary of London as its preferred partner to take on a 99-year lease for the site.
Highgate wants to turn the castle into a 150-bedroom hotel and to use land outside the historic gardens for an 18-hole golf course.
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