and the gardens and park brought back into good heart,the operating costs were significant. With dwindling public funds available, and priorities elsewhere by 1990 the castle was considered unsafe and was closed to visitors. In 2000, the council estimated the country park's running costs were £500,000 a year, and that they were facing a backlog of restoration work which would cost £3,000,000. In 2006, Derbyshire County Council commissioned a report, which estimated the castle and estate required at least £6.1 million of work and materials in essential repairs. Whilst development partners were interested in the Castle, a combination of public opposition and difficulty creating a plan which would achieve a suitable balance of development and access meant that these plans fell through. The castle is thought by the credulous to be haunted and inspired a gothic "novel" entitled "Elvingstone" by J.P Reedman. In 2013 The County Council asked The National Trust for help to create a future vision for the estate. This led, in 2015, to the County Council recruiting a Project Development Board to help it shape a future for the Estate as a charitable enterprise, further developing the Masterplan and exploring options for a sustainable future. This led to the formation of a totally independent board of Trustees in 2017 - The Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust - and to the beginning of a new era for the estate. See also Grade II* listed buildings in South Derbyshire Listed buildings in Elvaston, Derbyshire Earl of Harrington References English Heritage:Images of England, architectural description (1952) of listed building Magna Britannia, Volume 5 Derbyshire (1817) p. 142 External links Official website Elvaston Castle by Highgate Sanctuary Elvaston Parish Council An English Country Garden - images from Elvaston Castle Video of the Castle and the grounds Castles in Derbyshire Country parks in Derbyshire Structures on the Heritage at Risk register Gothic Revival architecture in Derbyshire Grade II* listed buildings in Derbyshire Country houses in Derbyshire Mock castles in England Stanhope family Grade II* listed parks and gardens in Derbyshire Grade II* listed houses