First look at Lancaster Castle plans

The Duchy of Lancaster has announced the dates for public consultation events and the first concept images of how the redeveloped Lancaster Castle could look.

The draft proposals have been drawn up with the advice of Malcolm Reading Consultants and will be on display in the former prison visitor's centre.

Running over four days, the public consultation events are due to take place on

• Tuesday 30 October from 10am to 5pm
• Wednesday 31 October, 10am to 7pm
• Thursday 1 November, 10am to 7pm
• Friday 2 November, 10am to 5pm

Paul Clarke, chief executive and clerk of the Duchy Council, said: "The Duchy has to ensure the castle has a sustainable future and we will balance preservation of the building with activities which encourage its wider use. To that end, we have worked closely with our heritage consultants and various stakeholders to draw up a series of proposals which will both protect and promote the castle in the future."

Visitors to the public exhibition will be able to view the proposals, and will be encouraged give their feedback. Representatives from The Duchy of Lancaster, which owns Lancaster Castle, and Malcolm Reading Consultants, will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the proposals in depth.

Visitors to the exhibition will enter through the John O'Gaunt Gate. The information will also be available and feedback encouraged through a dedicated consultation website which will be launched on 30 October www.lancastercastle.org, alongside a special freephone enquiry line 0800 345 7220 for anyone unable to go online.

Following the consultation, and completion of the Duchy's own financial viability studies, a planning application will be drawn up and submitted by early 2014 with work hopefully starting by the end of 2014 and the new development open by spring 2017.