It is intended that Auckland Castle shall become a leading public heritage site, bringing tourism and economic regeneration to the North East, under new plans revealed today by the Church Commissioners. The Commissioners' proposals have been made possible thanks to a £15m donation by investment manager Jonathan Ruffer, and discussions are now continuing with Durham County Council, the National Trust, the Department for Media, Culture and Sport, the Art Fund and the National Gallery about the broader future for Auckland Castle.

Jonathan Ruffer's contribution, made through a new charitable trust for the benefit of the people of the North East of England (the Zurbarán Trust) will ensure that the 17^th century portraits of Jacob and his sons by Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán can remain at Auckland Castle, their historic home since 1756. The Zurbarán Trust will provide, through the pictures, a symbolic statement of Christian hope through broken-ness and a practical help and encouragement to the people of the North East, from its base at Auckland Castle. The Commissioners will in turn be able to provide much needed additional funding for the Church's work in communities throughout the country including the North East.

In addition, early conversations are taking place involving the National Trust and Durham County Council about opening up the historic castle - home of the Bishops of Durham for the past 800 years - and its grounds to provide much greater public access. To make this a reality, further funds will need to be raised. The Rothschild Foundation under the guidance of Lord Rothschild, a long term supporter of British heritage, has already committed to a donation of up to £1 million towards this and discussions are continuing with the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Art Fund and DCMS.

Nicholas Penny, Director of the National Gallery, says: "It is excellent news that the Zurbaráns remain in their historic home and that the Castle will be more accessible to the public. We hope to be able to support this exciting venture in the future with loans from the National Collection."

Dr Richard Chartres, Bishop of London and Acting Chair of the Commissioners, said: "Jonathan Ruffer's generosity has made that rarest of scenarios possible: the best of both worlds. There is now an opportunity to create a leading arts and heritage centre in the North East, and a chance for both the Church of England and the Zurbarán Trust to contribute to the wider spiritual, social and economic regeneration across the region."

Councillor Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, said: "In recent months we have been in discussion with the Commissioners and the National Trust to consider a future for Auckland Castle which will put this fabulous asset at the heart of regeneration proposals for the county.

"I believe we now have a once in a lifetime chance to secure a future for the Zurbaráns at Auckland Castle and ensure both can be enjoyed by a wider public audience. Over the coming weeks we will continue to offer our full support to this exciting venture which, I have every hope, will deliver County Durham some wonderful opportunities in the future."

 Notes 

About the Church Commissioners

The Church Commissioners manage an investment portfolio of around £5bn, largely in property and shares, derived from the Church's historic resources and contribute around 16p in the pound to the cost of the Church of England's mission - most of the balance comes from the generous giving of today's parishioners.

They pay for all clergy pensions earned up to the end of 1997 - pensions since then are paid for by dioceses, largely from money donated by parishioners, and pay the stipends and workings costs of all the Church of England's bishops - and the housing costs of all diocesan bishops - in support of their local and national ministries.

They provide more than £40 million each year in support for parish ministry, primarily to less-resourced dioceses.

They also support the mission of the Church's cathedrals by paying the stipends of the majority of cathedral deans and two stipendiary canons, as well as making other cathedral grants.

About Jonathan Ruffer

Originally from Stokesley, near Middlesbrough, trained as a stockbroker and barrister before moving into private client investment management in 1980, with Dunbar Fund Managers. Formerly Chief Investment Officer of Rathbone Bros plc, in 2001 became an independent non-executive director of Electric and General Investment Trust PLC. He established Ruffer Investment Management Limited in 1994, which transferred its investment business to Ruffer LLP in 2004.