Derby's Elvaston Castle could be turned into a Hotel

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The Derby North MP Bob Laxton  is going to file a petition of more than 5,000 names to the parliament to stop Elvaston Castle being turned into a hotel and golf course.

In 2003, the council announced its proposal to grant a 150-year lease for the castle and grounds to developer Highgate Sanctuary due to high costs of repairs and maintenance.

The names were collected by action group Friends of Elvaston Castle, which is battling against the plans.

Mr Laxton said he would be presenting the petition in Parliament, probably on February 22 or 23, and calling for assurances that public access to the castle's grounds would be maintained.

He said: "My main concern is that they will take a chunk of the public park and use it as a golf course and there may be other areas of the park that could be developed by a private company.