PROPOSALS have been drawn up to convert a historic building that was first used to supply gas, and then electric, to Raby Castle into an energy centre.
The grade II-listed Gas House at Raby Castle was established in 1850 by the Duke of Cleveland with an underground gas pipe linking to the castle. Later, the two-storey building was adapted to an electricity generating station.
When the castle and adjoining buildings were connected to the national grid, it became redundant and has been disused ever since.
Now Lord Barnard is hoping the building can once again provide power for the castle to make the estate more sustainable.
Proposals submitted to Durham County Council include two bore holes for ground-source heat pumps. The building would have gas fired boilers, heat exchangers and pumping stations to cater for “present and future needs”.
In a planning statement, Donald Insall Associates said: “The scale of the equipment as well as the earlier history of the Gas House make it an ideal location for an energy centre.”
Two garages would be removed and replaced with three timber ones, 30 metres to the south. Redundant electrical switchgear will be taken away to a secure location on the estate and glazed tiles inside the Gas House will be kept. Amber Patrick, from the Association for Industrial Archaeology, said: “This seems an appropriate re-use of this interesting building. It is an imposing building and it is pleasing that the works to be undertaken will enable its survival.”
