Against a background of rising restoration costs, the impact of COVID-19, the climate and biodiversity emergencies, and a lack of rural housing and services, 2022 represents a watershed moment in the Estate’s long history.
There is now an exciting and nationally important opportunity to redefine the role that an Estate like Castle Howard can play in rural regeneration.
Done correctly, it has the potential to become a blueprint for others to follow with Purposeful Development acting as a catalyst to solving the challenges faced by rural communities such as sustainability, housing and community services. The plan will also respond to a range of current environmental issues by evolving the way the Estate approaches land management.
The Castle Howard Masterplan is being developed around three key purposes, Restore, Regenerate and Revive, underpinned by a significant amount of research, analysis and expertise to help ensure its successful delivery. The key purposes are summarised below:
Every pound raised by the Estate’s Purposeful Development and expanded business enterprises will be reinvested into the conservation of the buildings, land and further enhancing local communities. The ambition is to create a self-sustaining ecosystem with a cyclical economy that will endure for generations to come.
As the plans are progressed more information will be made available here for people to share and engage with.