Future of observatory looks secure after 'agreement'

The future of Herstmonceux Observatory is close to being secured after its landlords agreed to extend its lease

The future of a Grade II listed observatory looks more certain after its landlord said it had agreed to extend the lease.

Herstmonceux Observatory, formerly owned by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, said last year its lease from current owner Queen's University Canada had not been extended beyond the end of 2026.

But a spokesperson for the university said on Saturday it hopes to extend the lease on the observatory, which it has owned since the 1990s.

Dr Matthew Evans, provost and vice principal of the university, told the BBC: "That is certainly our hope at this point."

He said: "We haven't signed the piece of paper yet but we have an agreement and both understand where we want to go.

"I'm really confident that we will be able to make the announcement very, very soon."

Dr Matthew Evans, provost of Queen's University Canada

Campaigners looking to save the observatory previously signed an open letter and started a petition calling for the lease to be extended.

Dr Evans shared the update at an information event for Herstmonceux Castle Estate, which is owned by the university and is where the observatory is based.

Members of the public who came to hear about the castle and the observatory said it was "wonderful news" that the lease would be extended.

The castle estate also announced plans to rewild 300 acres of farmland on the site and said repairs to the castle were nearly complete.

The castle was forced to shut in November 2023 due to structural issues.