New plans for Caverswall Castle submitted

Plans have been submitted for a Grade I listed Staffordshire Moorlands castle to have a commercial use to bring in funds to help maintain it.A planning application has been put forward to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to permit additional uses for unrestricted guest accommodation; meeting/lecture venue; and film set location at Caverswall Castle.In January 2016 after a 10-year battle, it was thought that the castle could look forward to a new lease of life after planners approved commercial activity, which involved a well-being retreat centre, with guest hotel accommodation and associated parking.However, owner Robin MacDonald said he was unable to start work on the project, which could have created 30 jobs, because of a legal restriction placed on the use of the building.Mr MacDonald was fined £17,000 with almost £100,000 costs in 2014 when he breached a planning enforcement notice for using the castle as a wedding venue and for corporate events.Already more than 100 people have placed comments regarding the castle future and offering support to the application on the district council’s website.Comments say the application is needed to allow the castle to have a positive future and to bring in money to maintain the property while creating jobs in the local area.