WORK to revitalise a medieval County Durham castle has landed a regional award for the ‘historical importance’ and ‘vision’ of the project.

Over time, Auckland Castle, which has put Bishop Auckland on the map as one of the most significant complexes of medieval buildings in the whole of England, has managed to find itself at the forefront of both planning and architectural importance once again.

As a favoured residence of the bishops of Durham for at least 800 years, the castle has international significance for archaeology, architecture and landscape and is one of the last surviving episcopal palaces, overlooking the medieval deer park. 

Read more: Auckland Castle reopens for first time after lockdown

In 2011, Durham County Council and Historic England produced the Auckland Castle Conservation Statement, which identified and defined the importance of the building and acknowledged its international heritage significance.

And, a year later, philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer acquired the castle and established the charitable organisation, Auckland Castle Trust, which operates as The Auckland Project.

Over the course of the next couple of years, the council worked with The Auckland Project to develop plans to conserve and restore the castle and for it to become the anchor for a new visitor attraction – acquiring planning and listed building consent in 2015. 

The Northern Echo: Listed building consent and planning permission was granted to Auckland Castle in 2015, and, from there, the renovations took four years. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.Listed building consent and planning permission was granted to Auckland Castle in 2015, and, from there, the renovations took four years. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

Following construction, the castle reopened to the public in November 2019 after an extended period of closure.

Now that the restoration work has been complete, the scheme has been named Overall Winner in the Royal Town Planning Institute’s (RTPI) North East Awards for Planning Excellence 2021.

The restoration work has already led to several 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 new buildings being constructed that’s seen the Auckland Tower and Faith Museum pop-up in the town.

The Northern Echo: To restore a building of such historical significance, care and time had to be taken during the project. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.To restore a building of such historical significance, care and time had to be taken during the project. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

The project has also acted as a catalyst for wider regeneration of Bishop Auckland town centre. 

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s 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.”

The Northern Echo: Auckland Castle has won the North East Award for Planning Excellence 2021. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.Auckland Castle has won the North East Award for Planning Excellence 2021. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

The council has established a regeneration partnership board, which includes Durham University, Bishop Auckland College and the local enterprise agency.

The authority and its partners have also been successful in getting Bishop Auckland town centre designated as a Heritage Action Zone, which has helped to obtain £53million for the area in funding from the government through its Future High Streets Fund and Town Deal programmes.

The Right Reverend Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham and chair of Bishop Auckland Regeneration Partnership, added: “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.”

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