Last updated at 12:37, Monday, 05 September 2011
A crunch meeting which could shape the future of Rose Castle, home to Bishops of Carlisle since the 13th century, is to be held in the next few weeks.
The Church Commissioners’ assets committee is expected to make an in-principle decision to sell the Grade-I listed building near Dalston. They will then consult English Heritage and others before taking a final decision.
Rose Castle is no longer used as the Bishop’s residence – or see house – which is now in Keswick. The commissioners say that it costs £150,000-a-year to run and there is maintenance backlog of £1.7m.
But a campaign group, the Friends of Rose Castle, is urging supporters to make one last push to persuade the commissioners to keep the house and its grounds.
A steering group set up by the previous Bishop, the Rt Rev Graham Dow, produced a report into possible uses. This argues that a see house could be retained while part of Rose Castle is converted into two residential tower properties and three flats.
It says there is potential to open the gardens to the public and to create an interpretation centre, tea room, craft workshops and shop in disused courtyard buildings.
The report also says the diocesan archives and Carlisle Cathedral library could be housed there.
Bryan Gray, the former Northwest Regional Development Agency and Carlisle Renaissance chairman, chaired the steering group.
He said: “We are seeking to persuade the Commissioners that it is not appropriate to sell Rose Castle and instead they should allow the people of Cumbria to lease Rose and develop it as envisaged in our report.
“It is important that we seek to persuade the Commissioners that they are stewards of a cherished Christian asset.”
The Venerable Dr Richard Pratt, spokesman for the Diocese of Carlisle, said: “We are in touch with the commissioners about this matter.
“At the moment they not made a decision.”
The campaigners want supporters to sign an online petition – at www.friendsofrosecastle.org – and to write to Andreas Whittam Smith, First Estates Commissioner, Church House, Great King Street, London SWIP 3AZ.
First published at 11:28, Monday, 05 September 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
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