PLANS to develop a riverside path at the lower Demesnes have been dropped.
Instead, the view of the river is to be opened up close to where people park their cars in the area.
Members of Barnard Castle Town Council’s services committee were told the project was being undertaken with the Durham Wildlife Trust, along with some work to the paths in Flatts Wood.
Committee chairman Cllr Roger Peat said the work on the lower Demesnes would include the clearing of undergrowth from the riverside.
He said it was “a bit disappointing” the plan for a path had been abandoned following discussions with Durham County Council, whose officers had raised concerns about the disturbance to wildlife.
“It would have made a lovely little round trip of just a few hundred yards,” said Cllr Peat.
“It feels to me like we are having to settle for second best, but it’s better than nothing.”
Cllr Peat said it might be an idea to put a seat from the castle, donated to the town council by English Heritage and repaired by inmates at Deerbolt YOI, on the lower Demesnes so visitors could sit and enjoy the riverside view once the clear-out work had been completed.
