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LIVERY STABLES
 Peter Coe uses stables and 55 acres of fields
at the castle to run the Elvaston Castle Equestrian
Centre, offering riding lessons and livery facilities. In
1982 he bought a 21 year lease for the land and stables.
It had 19 years left on it. Since then, he and his
previous business partners have spent more than £125,000
on improvements.
But when the lease ran out four years ago,
Derbyshire County Council, which owns the stately home
and country park, would not renew it because of the
planned redevelopment of the site into a hotel and golf
course. Mr Coe said that despite the decision not to give
him a new lease he was told he could continue his
business.
A consultation period ended for people to
give their views on the county council's proposal to
grant a 150-year lease to Highgate Sanctuary for the
castle. More than 220 people objected, including Mr Coe
and a number of horse riders who use the centre.
Mr Coe claims he has now been told by
Highgate managing director Tanya Spilsbury that all the
land he currently uses is required for the golf course.
According to Mr Coe, he needs a minimum of 30 acres to
maintain a viable business. "The uncertainty is the
worst thing," he said. "I have written to Tanya
Spilsbury and we have discussed it in a couple of
telephone conversations and one meeting. But she has
never put anything in writing and I don't know where I
stand."
Anne Tagg, of Draycott, who keeps a horse at
the stables, said she objected to the golf course plans.
"The castle was built chiefly with horses, dogs and
rural life in mind," she said. "Why therefore
should the riding school and livery yard be excluded from
the future of this wonderful estate? This sorry state of
affairs would not have occurred if Derbyshire County
Council had not done too little, too late to make the
castle and estate pay for itself." (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph)
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