Work on project to boost Barnard Castle tourism set to begin (From The Advertiser Series)

Work on project to boost Barnard Castle tourism set to begin

6:00pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News By Stuart Laundy, Reporter (Barnard Castle & Teesdale)

WORK on a £300,000 scheme of improvements in part of Barnard Castle is due to begin next week.

The project will see the Scar Top area remodelled to preserve the existing open spaces and seating as well as re-establishing views to the Tees.

Led by the Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Durham County Council, Barnard Castle Vision and Barnard Castle Town Council, the scheme will also see new planting and landscaping.

New street furniture to fit in with the town's conservation area will also be installed.

A major part of the scheme will be a new-look mini-golf course and kiosk, and there will also be improvements to the children's play area, new terracing and a small performance area.

A new entrance feature to Scar Top with seating is designed to draw people to the area and the adjacent castle from Galgate.

Contractors are due at Scar Top on Monday, January 14, and officials say the aim of the project is to preserve and protect the site over the coming years for the benefit of the local community and visitors alike.

The mini-golf course project is being managed by Barnard Castle Town Council and is being designed by a company called Urban Crazy.

Its theme is “Journey Through Teesdale” and as part of this, Eggleston-based sculptor Phil Townsend has been commissioned to create works of art depicting some of the area's most famous landmarks to form part of the golf course.

William Weston, chairman of the Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership, said: “The renewal of Scar Top will see the results of four years planning and consultations and begins an exciting year for the partnership.

“I am pleased that we are able to restore this core open space in Barnard Castle and provide a proper setting for the historic castle as well as renew play and other facilities for the community.

“We look forward to a busy year in 2013 with a number of new projects about to begin."

There will be opportunities for the public to participate in related activities including a workshop with a local artist.

Regular printed updates will be available at several locations in the town and to download from the partnership’s website at www.heartofteesdale.net

The project is expected to be completed by early the early summer.