County Durham castle restoration takes regional award

Work to revitalise a medieval castle in County Durham has won a regional award for planning excellence from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

The work to restore Auckland Castle has already led to a number of other buildings across Bishop Auckland being brought back into use to support the attraction, including The Spanish Gallery and The Mining Art Gallery, as well as the construction of new buildings such as Auckland Tower and Faith Museum.

The castle reopened to the public in November 2019 following the works, leading to its nomination for the RTPI’s North East Awards for Planning Excellence 2021.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Cabinet Member for economy and partnerships, said: ‘We are delighted that restoration work at Auckland Castle has been recognised with this award. Revitalising the castle and protecting its status as a significant heritage site so that it can be enjoyed by visitors for many years to come is hugely important to us, helping to further improve the cultural offering in County Durham as we look to be named UK City of Culture 2025.’

Durham County Council has established a regeneration partnership board for the project, which includes Durham University, Bishop Auckland College and the local enterprise agency.

They have successfully bid for Bishop Auckland town centre to be designated as a Heritage Action Zone, which has helped to obtain £53m for the area in government funding through the Future High Streets Fund and Town Deal programmes.

The Right Reverend Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham and Chair of Bishop Auckland Regeneration Partnership, said: ‘Auckland Castle holds such a significance within the Church of England, a medieval symbol of our religious journey in the North East.

‘This recent restoration ensures that the Christian and wider community will continue to visit Bishop Auckland and be inspired by this religious landmark. I am thrilled that Auckland Castle has received this award, and feel comfort knowing it is being revitalised for future generations.’

Photo supplied by Durham County Council