Castle conversion plans revised

The castle overlooks Matlock

Plans to turn a Derbyshire landmark into flats have been delayed.

Developers withdrew their application to convert Riber Castle just hours before council planners were due to decide the issue on Wednesday night.

It has been four years since Cross Tower Ventures bought the hilltop castle, near Matlock.

It wants to convert it into 35 apartments and build 11 houses in the grounds.

There have been strong objections from people living in the area, who say that development would quadruple the size of the hamlet.

Shortly before Derbyshire Dales District Council was due to decide the matter, Cross Tower withdrew the application and re-submitted a revised application, requesting permission to change the appearance of the castle.

The castle was designed and built by industrialist John Smedley in 1862.

Its grounds were later converted into a wildlife park, which closed in 2000.