Hopes to make struggling estate 'next Chatsworth'

Elvaston Castle is being set up to be "almost the second Chatsworth of Derbyshire" in a renewed push to revitalise the estate.

Reform UK-led Derbyshire County Council said in a statement on Friday that attempts to find another owner for the Elvaston estate had been unsuccessful.

The authority has owned the estate since the 1960s, but it costs £800,000 a year to maintain and generates only £400,000 in revenue, which has led the council to seek a way to reduce its financial burden.

Rob Reaney, deputy leader of the county council, said it could almost be a second Chatsworth - referring to Chatsworth House, near Bakewell, which has thousands of visitors every year.

Reaney said hopes to use Elvaston as a film location could also help the estate if successful, though plans to do so are still in the early stages.

"We're looking at reopening the campsite and riding school in the first instance. The target is to stop losing money.

"Any profit will then go back into restoration."

A recent "masterplan" for the future of the estate was shelved when predicted costs surged from £35m to £50m.

The council's previous Conservative administration then started a six-month asset of community value procedure, which allowed community groups with an interest in running the estate to come forward.

The parish council said its bid failed due to financial constraints.

A new steering group has now been formed with local councillors on the parish council and volunteers to discuss the next steps.

Derbyshire South MP Samantha Niblett will also be invited to be involved in the process and said she would be delighted to see the castle kept open to the public.

"Elvaston is a jewel in the crown of South Derbyshire," she said.

Elvaston Parish Council said it wanted to see the estate remain open to the public.

"The bid was unsuccessful as the Parish Council has limited funds and was only able to offer a peppercorn to take over the running of the estate.

"We now hope to take a collaborative approach with Elvaston Castle & Gardens Trust alongside Derbyshire County Council, rejuvenating business opportunities and ensuring the revenue is ringfenced for the restoration of the estate."

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