Raby

Following consultation with Durham County Council, it was determined that the most appropriate means of raising the necessary capital to facilitate the restoration of Gainford Hall and the heritage buildings at Raby Castle, was the release of land in the Raby Estate ownership in the villages of Staindrop and Gainford for residential development.

The residential developments in Gainford and Staindrop will also assist in supporting existing services within both villages and contribute towards meeting the housing requirements of the County. Over recent decades, we have seen many amenities such as shops and pubs lost in the villages. New housing will bring more spend to both villages and help them thrive – supporting schools and local services. Moreover, we passionately believe the Raby Castle development will deliver a real economic boost to the area.

During our public consultations, the majority of the community indicated support and said to us that there is a lack of housing stock, affecting people looking to downsize, as well as those with young families. Legitimate questions were also raised about details of the schemes including flood risk, heritage protection, policy and enabling development compliance, and we responded to those through the planning application process.

In addition to high-quality housing (including affordable housing), we have made a firm commitment to enhance public and open spaces.

The design for each scheme is being led by Ben Pentreath, one of the country’s leading architectural practices involved in the design of traditionally inspired new developments. Their work seeks to draw from the best of the past, making places that are human scaled, timeless and long-lasting, and yet robustly designed for modern life.

It is the intention of Raby Estates to deliver the development directly, rather than selling the land to a housing developer, thus ensuring that a high-quality development and a long lasting legacy is left for the benefit of the local community. Achieving a design style and concept which is sympathetic to the respective villages is of paramount importance to the Estate, with the intention being that both communities can be proud of these developments for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gainford Housing Development

Gainford Housing Development

Gainford Housing Development View Two

Further information about the Gainford housing development is available to download below.

Gainford Design & Access Statement
Gainford Landscape Masterplan
Gainford Location Plan
Gainford Development Planning Application