Outrage after report of NIO legal action to evict Praxis Care

The NIO gave over the castle and its grounds to Historic Royal Palaces for development as a tourist attraction, having previously served Praxis notice to quit, later rejecting the charity’s claims for compensation in respect of the £400,000 it invested in the facility, where it provides placements for 16 young people with learning difficulties.

Amid local protests there arose hopes of a possible accommodation and even now the charity is on record maintaining its hopes that, despite what it calls the NIO’s refusal to engage with it, a resolution can be found “to enable Praxis Care to have a continued presence at the Secret Garden”.

Hillsborough Councillor Alexander Redpath believes the NIO is adopting a “very high-handed and unnecessary” approach. “The priority,” he said, “has to be the needs of the 16 service-users with learning difficulties.” At time of going to Press the NIO had failed to respond to a request for comment.