North Yorkshire Council is looking to extend the lease of Knaresborough Castle in order to plan celebration events at the landmark.
The authority took control of the castle in April after Harrogate Borough Council was abolished.
Knaresborough Castle, which overlooks the River Nidd, is the only castle in the county controlled by North Yorkshire Council.
However, the medieval fortress, which was seized by Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarian troops in 1644 during the Civil War, is leased from the Duchy of Lancaster.
Knaresborough Castle
Cllr Matt Walker, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough West on the council, asked Cllr Simon Myers, executive councillor for culture, at a full council meeting yesterday whether the authority had an update on the lease extension.
It comes as Knaresborough Castle is set to celebrate its 900th anniversary in 2030.
Cllr Myers said:
“We have begun looking at the terms of the lease before entering into discussions with the Duchy.
“There are elements to the existing lease which perhaps should be altered and we’re looking at that.”
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Cllr Myers added that the council intended to set up a task force to liaise with community organisations and councillors in Knaresborough over anniversary events and the castle’s future use.
The move comes amid new found optimism over the future of the heritage asset.
A meeting of Knaresborough and District Chamber in February heard that the change of ownership could herald a bright new era for the castle.
Peter Lacey, executive member of the chamber, said an extension of the lease would allow for further use of the site for events.
Party in the Castle, a free event broadcasting the BBC’s coverage of Glastonbury, will be held in the castle grounds again next year.
