JUST under £1 million is to be spent on the restoration of Castleton Youth Hostel.
And the grant of £950,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) will not only help secure the future of the hostel as a popular tourist facility, but also as an educational centre of excellence.
Jake Chalmers, YHA property director, said: "Thanks t
o the award of this substantial grant we will now hopefully be able to ensure the future of this hostel, providing top-notch facilities and rewarding experiences for all young people, including those of limited means and with disabilities."
Castleton Hall, as it was originally known, dates back to the 13th century and, together with the former vicarage, forms a prominent feature in the village centre.
The Grade II Listed hall, and five other buildings on the site, will be conserved through the repairing of stonework and refurbished to provide fully accessible accommodation.
The YHA plan to utilise the site as an educational centre of excellence, offering low-cost educational packages and unique and specific teaching styles to provide the best for visiting children.
Emma Sayer, Head of the HLF East Midlands, said: "The plans to restore Castleton Youth Hostel and extend opportunities for young people to access the YHA educational programmes are a striking example of the positive impact that our grant-making can have on communities.
"This project will ensure that both visitors and local people will be able to enjoy the Castleton campus for many generations to come."
High Peak MP Tom Levitt added: "The hostel is well regarded in the Castleton area and an important part of the local economy. It is visited and loved by many people including visitors from all over the world."
The full article contains 291 words and appears in Buxton Advertiser newspaper.
