STAINDROP residents will not be able to access Raby Castle’s park from the village due to concerns about livestock.
Late last year, the parish council asked Raby Estates to introduce a scheme so Staindrop residents could get into the park by foot directly from the village.
However, Raby Estates chief executive Duncan Peake said in an email to the parish council that this would not be possible. He said the proposals for an automatic entry system in the fence to the south of the park “would present too great a risk to Raby in the event of a failure” .
He added access to the park at the South Lodge was also not possible because all visitors are briefed on any parkland operations taking place that day when they enter at the main gate at North Lodge.
Arrival via North Lodge would allow “deer and cattle a measure of tranquillity to the south of the park” , he said.
Clerk Judith Mashiter told the last parish council meeting: “They [Raby Estates] would like to do it, but there is no way they could have multiple access points on the estate. They would not want an entrance at the South Lodge, despite any tech solutions with key fobs – they are not going to play.”
Concerns about people leaving gates open were also raised by the estates, chairman Cllr Ian Royston said.
But Cllr Roger Humphries said: “It is disappointing that they are depriving themselves of local support.”
Without direct pedestrian access from the village, Cllr Jan Campbell said residents who wanted to visit the park had to use the main access off the A688 but it was not suitable for walkers or cyclists.
She said pointed out that Durham County Council had declared a “climate emergency” and is encouraging walking.
Cllr David Reed said: “If Raby Castle don’t want us to access the park there is nothing we can do. I wouldn’t want to walk up to Raby Castle on that road.”
Cllr Campbell added: “It is not just about access into the park, it is up to the park. It is just to give access in a safe way.”
Cllr Royston added: “The thing that gets me is if we want to get into Raby Castle we have to drive there. If we were to walk up there, it is a hazardous walk.”
Cllr Ed Chicken said: “The footpath up there is against the road. There are a lot of plants against the wall and I’m so disappointed they haven’t looked at this.”
The parish council hopes discussions on access can be reopened when Raby Castle’s tourist redevelopment has been completed next year.
County councillors George Richardson and James Rowlandson will be asked what improvements could be made to the footpath from Staindrop to Raby Castle.
They will also be asked to point out the inconsistency in county policies in addressing safety concerns and sustainability.
