Inquiry into 'castle conversion'

The castle grounds used to house a wildlife park

A public inquiry will be held into plans to transform a Derbyshire landmark into flats and houses.

District councillors voted in October 2004 to allow developers to convert Riber Castle into 35 apartments and to build 11 houses in the grounds.

Some local residents campaigned against the plans, saying it would quadruple the size of the nearby hamlet of Riber and destroy the area's character.

The castle, located near Matlock in the Derbyshire Dales, was built in 1862.

Cross Tower Ventures have been given the go-ahead to develop the property.

The date for the public inquiry has yet to be set, but the final decision on whether the plans will go ahead lies with Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

The castle grounds were used as a wildlife park for many years, but it closed in 2000.