§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Under what terms Gosford Castle in County Armagh was disposed of by the Department of Agriculture; whether those terms required certain remedial works to be undertaken within a given time-scale; and whether any such works have been completed. [HL1012]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) remains the castle's current legal owner. The terms and conditions under which Gosford Castle is to be disposed of by DARD will be subject to negotiation of a legal agreement with the successful bidder—the Boyd Partnership and Lagan Developments Limited—for the restoration and development of the castle. The successful bidder had to satisfy conditions with regard to financial ability to purchase and carry out restoration work and that the proposed development had to be sympathetic to the existing uses of the forest park.
DARD granted the latter a short-term licence up to 11 January 2003 for the purpose of carrying out a survey of the building and to effect minor but essential repairs. The survey work will identify a schedule of repair work for agreement with DARD and for inclusion in the agreement for disposal.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the terms of disposal of Gosford Castle in County Armagh included a provision which would allow for new building works to take place outwith the current footprint of the castle, subject to planning permission and listed building consent. [HL1013]
§ Lord Williams of MostynIt is intended that some land surrounding the castle will be included in the disposal and the question of new building works outside the castle is a matter for the developer.6WA However, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development would not object to such in principle, subject to normal planning and building controls.