9:03am Friday 29th April 2005
By Michaela Robinson-Tate
NEIGHBOURS of historic Wray Castle - where a teenage Beatrix Potter stayed with her family have spoken of their fears for the future of the listed building, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate.
There is concern within the community that the building, on the west shore of Windermere, could be used as a school for children with behavioural problems.
However, bosses at the National Trust, which owns the castle, said they were not yet able to discuss potential tenants.
One of those anxious to know about the castle's future is neighbour Margaret Rigg, who has been a National Trust tenant at the neighbouring Dower House for nearly 17 years, operating a bed-and-breakfast and holiday accommodation.
After taking calls from neighbours, who were concerned about the castle's future, she sent out a letter to residents under the auspices of the Cumbrian Association of National Trust Tenants.
Mrs Rigg said that the future use of the castle could affect residents in Wray, Sawrey, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Rydal and Grasmere, and she urged people to contact her or the National Trust if they had objections.
Her letter said: "One of the possible uses of Wray Castle under consideration at this time is as a school for up to 20 boys aged 11 to 16 years.
"Most of these children will be drawn from major cities in the UK. They may well have been through the courts where car theft, anti-social behaviour and burglary are the reasons for their removal from society."
Among Mrs Rigg's concerns is the possible effect on her business, neighbours' personal security, and property values.
Chairman of Claife Parish Council Chris Lane said there had been a lot of rumours about the building's future. He said the council had invited the trust's property manager, John Moffatt, for an update.
Dr Lane said members were concerned, and the council would have liked answers to its questions, although Mr Moffatt had stressed that no decisions had been taken.
Dr Lane, who is also chairman of the Cumbrian Association of National Trust Tenants, said that the organisation had been willing for Mrs Rigg to send her letter under its auspices because of concern that the use of the castle could affect a number of trust tenants nearby.
There have also been separate rumours in the community that the Witherslack Group of Schools Ltd, which works with children with emotional, behavioural and learning difficulties, was interested in Wray Castle. However, a spokesperson said that although they had looked at the castle, they had not considered it a suitable project to pursue.
National Trust communications and marketing manager Jane Watson said that its policy was to keep buildings lived in and utilised, and it was therefore in discussions with interested parties. However, as was normal in such a business environment, it could not disclose their names before it had considered the options.
l In a separate development, the Witherslack Group of Schools has confirmed that it no longer intends to open a children's home at Cumbria View in Silverdale. The decision followed a public meeting in the village earlier this month, when, as reported at the time, villagers had made it clear that the development was not welcome.
In a statement, the company thanked those "numerous" residents who expressed their sympathy and support, and said it would now consider its options regarding the use of Cumbria View, which it had purchased.
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