Minister Announces Sale of Gosford Castle

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The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Jeff Rooker, has announced the sale of Gosford Castle in Markethill, Co. Armagh.

The completion of contracts for the sale of the Castle has now taken place between the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Gosford Castle Development Limited.

The Castle is Northern Ireland’s largest Grade A listed building, and is in urgent need of conservation.

The securing of contracts opens the way for the developer to begin, subject to Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent, a multi-million pound project to restore the property as private residential accommodation comprising a number of self-contained dwellings.

The Minister said: “At long last I can announce that contracts for the sale and transfer of Gosford Castle and adjoining land to Gosford Castle Development Ltd have been completed. The disposal process has been complex and I am pleased that this important milestone in securing the restoration and future of Gosford Castle has been reached. The multi-million pound project that will follow is one that I believe befits the status and past of Northern Ireland’s largest Grade A listed building. After a difficult era the future of Gosford Castle is looking bright again.”

The Castle is a central feature within Gosford Forest Park, Markethill. It was advertised on the open market in 2002, and attracted significant interest.

The Minister added: “This will be good news for County Armagh as a whole. The project has the potential to give a boost to business in Markethill and the wider rural area as a spin-off from the construction activities to be undertaken at the Castle.”

The contract of sale binds the developer to restore the roofs over the principal and most decorative rooms by certain dates and to a standard that meets with the approval of the Environment and Heritage Service. The competitive process established the market value of the Castle and there is a claw-back agreement relating to profits generated by future development of the Castle.

Speaking on behalf of the developer, Arthur Acheson of The Boyd Partnership said: “We are looking forward with enthusiasm to the start of the major renovation works to the castle. We have consulted with the Environment and Heritage Service during the design process and have identified local craftspeople and other specialists who are familiar with the materials of the original building and can carry out the necessary detailed work. As of today, applications have been made for Listed Building Consent and for Planning Permission. This also gives the public and elected representatives an opportunity to see and comment on our plans.”

1. Following an open market competition the Department convened a selection panel to assess proposals for the conservation and viable development of the Castle. The panel consisted of representatives of several Government Agencies, advised by an independent estate agent. The then NI Minister, Brid Rodgers chose The Boyd Partnership, which formed Gosford Castle Development Ltd to carry out the project.

2. The competitive process established that the market value of the Castle and associated land was £1,000. The Castle needs major expenditure to restore it, which would have fallen on the taxpayer had it remained in public ownership. Instead the private sector has the financial responsibility of restoration and a project that is expected to cost over £4 million. Renovation of the roofs alone is expected to cost in the region of £1 million.

3. The area of land to be transferred includes the Walled Garden and the Castle car park. Gosford Forest Park will continue to be used for public access, with access to the Walled Garden available during daylight hours on Statutory, Public and Bank Holidays.

4. Further information on the project is available from The Boyd Partnership, 1 River’s Edge, 13 Ravenhill Road, Belfast, Telephone 028 9046 1414 on behalf of the Developer. Any media enquiries should be referred to the to the Department’s Media Office at 028 9052 4619.

5. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619.