£1.1 million development for Conisborough Castle

PLANS to create a new £1.1 million visitor centre at Conisbrough Castle have taken a step closer as demolition gets underway.

The metal structure of the former visitor centre, which was built in the 1990s to resemble a jousting tent, was removed this week to make way for the new development.

Work to convert and enhance the existing 19th century lodge into the new visitor centre at the Castle Hills site has already begun.

Cllr Bob Johnson, Cabinet member for tourism, said: “Conisbrough Castle has the finest Norman circular keep tower in the whole of the UK - in fact the nearest parallel is in France.

“Tourism is worth £400 million to Doncaster’s economy and we get more day visitors than Blackpool, Bath and Cambridge.

“We want more people to come to Conisbrough and see this fascinating attraction when the castle reopens.”