Agenda item

DM/20/01183/FPA

Repurposing of existing buildings for mixed tourism, leisure and educational uses, formation of a new car park, creation of play facilities, erection of new visitor arrival building and vinery cafe, works to Walled Garden and associated infrastructure and landscaping

DM/20/01184/LB

Refurbishment and alterations to Riding School (UID 1121778); Dutch Barn (UID) 1121777); Stables and Coach House (List UID 1121776); Garden Walls (UID 1121780); and Cistern in Walled Garden (1310785)

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer with regards to Repurposing of existing buildings for mixed tourism, leisure and educational uses, formation of a new car park, creation of play facilities, erection of new visitor arrival building and vinery cafe, works to Walled Garden and associated infrastructure and landscaping at Raby Castle, Raby Park, Staindrop, Bishop Auckland (for copy see file of minutes).

The Senior Planning Officer provided a detailed presentation which included a site location plan, aerial photographs of the site and photographs of the site and plans showing the proposed site layout.

Councillor J Rowlandson confirmed that this was an area within his division and he was in support of the application. He suggested the Applicant should be commended for bringing this regeneration scheme forward under current circumstances, in time it would become a tourist attraction and it was positive for the area.

Cllr Rowlandson asked how much of the S106 contributions were being retained for works on the project. The Senior Planning Officer confirmed that the castle site, would only secure the net gains in terms of biodiversity, but if members were to approve the development sites at Staindrop and Gainford there would be £3m which would go towards the Castle.

Mr D Peake, Chief Executive of Raby Estate, confirmed that his presentation was intended for all three applications. Most people were aware of Raby Castle and its surrounding parkland but few were aware of the variety and quality of listed buildings in the park and gardens currently hidden from public view.

The castle had been opened sporadically for many years but four years ago when Harry and Kate Barnard took over, they set a vision of restoration, regeneration and renewal, to open up and share the heritage, culture and safe spaces and showcase Raby.

Mr Peake confirmed that approval would have a wide range of positive impacts for County Durham tourism, economy and it echoed the County Durham Vision. The concept of Raby Rising would tell a fascinating storey of the castle and its history, provide a varied family experience with enough variety to keep people returning. A large part of the estate would be opened for walking and cycling, it would include a world class fortress play area in the trees, exhibitions and buildings would be accessible to the public for the first time.

This would significantly increase annual visitor numbers, to 120000 and would assist in financing the long term maintenance of Raby Castle, creating a major tourist attraction and increasing visitors and overnight stays in County Durham.

In addition, they sought to repair the grade 1 Gainford Hall which was on Historic England’s at risk register and would be repaired over nine months to ensure it was completed quickly and a future use was identified.

Mr Peake stated that this was a hugely important development for the regional economy and the historical fabric, but it could only be achieved through the enabling development in Gainford and Staindrop.

Raby had always been a central part of the communities in Teesdale and would remain so by ensuring the housing development was of the highest quality and Raby would remain in control of the schemes through the build process – he assured Members that they would not be sold to a housing developer. Homes were designed as representative of the villages in which they were located, with design specific, unlike standard house types common found on new developments.

There were many benefits delivered by the housing scheme which were outlined in the Committee report and delivery of the housing schemes would be restricted by a legal agreement to ensure the heritage works at Raby Castle and Gainford Hall were completed ahead of the housing development

Mr Peake continued that this proposal would drive forward and enhance tourism as part of a long term sustainable vision, and he hoped the committee, local residents and those across the county would support to see what Raby had to offer.

Councillor Tinsley confirmed that this was a positive application particularly as the County emerged from COVID-19 and Brexit – Raby Castle was critical to the overall economic development in County Durham. Every element was positive, the comments from Visit County Durham could not have been more positive and to see £14m investment was transformational and form an attraction to compete at a European level.

So as not to get carried away, Councillor Tinsley referred to the specifics of the scheme and was very comforted by the comments from Design and Conservation Officers but particularly by Historic England, they could not be more positive. This application would also create 55 direct jobs and 66 indirect jobs which was positive for the area and he had no hesitation to propose the recommendation as outlined in the report.

The Chair described the application as fabulous, necessary and sensitive, seconding the motion to approve.

Councillor Wilkes was happy to support the application and in response to a question, Mr Peake confirmed that of County Durham Estates, Raby was in excess of 40000 acres, there were two major estates, Raby Castle Estate was 20000 acres and Upper Teesdale Estate in Upland was around 35000 acres.

Councillor Richardson was very supportive of the application, but not necessarily the means of paying for it.

Councillor Jewell described the application as positive, not just for the area but for County Durham overall. He had a question with regards to vehicular access and egress, having visited and found that sometimes during events, traffic congestion yet Highways had suggested there was unlikely to be any issues and he asked for further clarification.

The principal DM Engineer confirmed that a transport assessment had been undertaken in relation to all three sites and for this part junction modelling was done as a worst scenario based on an event day in Easter 2019. The event days were only 16 per year and despite the number of customers admitted being 7 x regular day and 3.5 times a busy day in school holidays, the operational capacity of the junction was well within its operational capacity.

Resolved:

That application DM/20/01183/FPA be APPROVED subject to the completion of a S106 Legal Agreement to secure the following:

·        The requirement to enter into a Section 39 Legal Agreement to secure the long-term management and maintenance of the biodiversity land, prior to the commencement of the development;

And subject to the conditions outlined in the report.