Castle plans rise from ruins

Following delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, a development of Cargill’s Castle which will allow tourists to walk around the historic site is expected to start next year.

Cargill’s Castle Trust chairman Steven De Graaf said the Dunedin City Council had already approved resource consent for the stabilisation of the castle ruins and Heritage New Zealand had also given approval from an archaeological perspective.

The trust was now hoping to gain building consent in the next few months, and depending on how well fundraising went, and the availability of a construction company, work could begin on the site next year.

"We were hoping to have received building consent by now, but architects and engineers are all behind with Covid at the moment. "

Cargill’s Castle Trust chairman Steven De Graaf with trustees (from left) Ray Beardsmore, Wade...
Cargill’s Castle Trust chairman Steven De Graaf with trustees (from left) Ray Beardsmore, Wade Nicholson, Sandra Paterson, Rosie Creighton and Janine Duthie go through the ruins of Cargill’s Castle yesterday. Photo: Peter McIntosh
The project was expected to cost up to $2 million, he said.

"We’re planning to have a metal walkway in the building, and stairs which you can walk up so you can see the views over the city and down the coast."

A public meeting will be held at St Clair Golf Club next Tuesday evening to give an update on the development.

"The purpose of the meeting is two-fold — the first is to give people an opportunity to see the updated plans and see where we’re at."

Photo: Peter McIntosh
Photo: Peter McIntosh
He said the architect of the plans was expected to be at the meeting to present them to the public and answer questions.

"The other thing is, we are needing an injection of some new people on the trust."

He said a few trust members had left town or had to step away for personal reasons, and hoped some people interested in filling positions would be at the meeting.

"It would be a good chance to get some fresh blood in there."

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

 

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