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Jan 25th 2012 DCC: please do better on off-roading
Join us in asking Derbyshire County Council to be bolder, fairer and clearer in its updated off-roading policy!
DCC is currently consulting on its Policy for the Management of Motorised Vehicle Use in the Countryside. Our Take Back the Tracks campaign is lobbying for action to stop 4x4 vehicles and trail bikes damaging sensitive routes in the Peak District - and so we're writing o the Council welcoming the review but calling for firmer action on off-roading.
We do really welcome the fact that DCC is updating its off-roading policy, but we have some serious concerns about these revisions and don't think they are nearly bold enough. We believe that the draft policy
- puts the rights of off-roaders way above the rights of other users including walkers, cyclists and horse-riders
- ignores DCC’s duty to protect the environment - including the Peak District National Park
- limits partnership working to the off-roading community, and largely ignores other legitimate users
- is unrealistic about how effective voluntary restraint can be in stopping damage from off-roading
- does not explain how and when DCC would close roads using Traffic Regulation Orders
- has the potential to delay DCC issuing Traffic Regulation Orders
Some of our most sensitive routes are under real threat from off-roading damage, and DCC already has the power to protect our landscapes by closing roads. We’d like to see some action now!
We also think that it is important that DCC works more closely with the Peak District National Park Authority, and supports its work protecting this special environment.
Have your say now!
The deadline for comments on the revised policy is 14 March. Please comment now on DCC's website, asking for changes to strengthen the policy and protect our countryside.
Jan 23rd 2012 WIRES - tell us where else?
Great news and views over at Blacka Moor. Thanks to Yorkshire Electricity (now called Northern Powergrid) the power lines are now down at this much loved land on the edge of Sheffield.
We're continuing our work identifying landscapes and villages in the Peak District National Park that would benefit from having overhead power lines putting underground.
Tell us where else!
This work is paid for using an allowance from the electricity regulator OFGEM. There's still money in the pot, so we're keen to hear from you about Peak District places you know that would be improved without power lines. Please give us your suggestions too.
Jan 17th 2012 Cowdale: no to appeal
We’re disappointed and weary to see the Cowdale application rearing its ugly head yet again. It has been refused twice already, and the arguments are the same. A huge factory in the middle of beautiful countryside just isn’t on.
Express Park Buxton submitted plans to build the five-hectare water bottling plant and distribution site on the greenfield site in early 2010 and again in 2011. Both times, High Peak Borough Council unanimously rejected applications because they would be “unsustainable” and “harmful to character and visual appearance of the countryside and special landscape area.” The Council also had concerns about the impact the building would have on the National Park.
Now the developers have appealed to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate against High Peak’s decision on the second application. The Planning Inspectorate is currently accepting comments on the appeal, and will make a decision following a local hearing.
Like High Peak Borough Council and local people, we maintain that Cowdale is a valuable green space in its own right, and an important buffer zone between the Peak District and Buxton, stopping industrial sprawl, noise and light pollution from affecting the National Park.
The plans were also rejected because the Council stated that the old limestone quarry was an “important heritage asset.” Since the last application, English Heritage has listed Cowdale Quarry as a Scheduled Monument of national significance, giving it further protection.
This is still the wrong building in the wrong place! There's still no need for it, and it’s too close to the National Park.
Comment now
If you haven’t commented already, then go to www.planningportal.gov.uk/pcs and follow the links to search for an appeal quoting 2166189. The deadline for comments to the Planning Inspectorate is 31 January. After this, the appeal will be decided following a local hearing.
Jan 16th 2012 Hurray at Hartington
Along with local people we're cheering the Peak District National Park planning committee's unanimous decision to turn down plans to build 39 houses at the former cheese factory site at Hartington.
The committee heard from 24 speakers, 22 of them objecting to the scheme - including our planning officer John King. After hearing all the representations and discussing the evidence members refused it on the grounds that its scale would be out of keeping with the village and damaging to the landscape and character of Hartington.
The Hartington Liaison Group of local people, councillors and officers, set up to ensure local involvement, had carried out a village survey which revealed a large majority of residents opposed the scheme but would support up to 20 houses with community facilities. An exhibition and public meetings were also held.
We wrote to the Peak District National Park Authority, along with Hartington Parish Council and 123 residents to oppose the proposal on grounds of scale. Traffic issues, encroachment on greenfield land and inadequate affordable housing were also cited. One resident wrote to support it.
We think that developers will appeal if they decide not to come back with an improved scheme.
Jan 13th 2012 Hartington cheese factory site decision day
We'll be attending the Peak District National Park Authority’s meeting to decide on an application to develop 39 new homes on the site at Stonewell Lane in Hartington today.
We want the plans turned down because they are out of scale with the Peak District Village. The buildings would spill out onto greenfield land well beyond the original footprint of the factory. We do accept that the site should be redeveloped for houses, but with this number the development will dominate the village.
There's a terrific amount of opposition from local people. There have been 124 written representations about the application and 123 have opposed the plans. Building nearly forty new houses will significantly affect a community of this size, and people are understandably worried. So we’re joining them to tell the Park Authority that these plans are out of scale for Hartington.
The current plans only include six affordable houses, and more are needed for people in neighouring parishes as well. Also, the application is to build all the affordable houses together in one specific area. We don’t want to see an isolated estate within an estate created so we think they should be integrated into the development.
Dec 20th 2011 MPs want NPPF changed too
We're welcoming today's call by a cross-party committee of MPs for ‘significant changes’ to improve the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). These suggested changes reflect many of our aspirations for the final policy.
The report shows a strong cross-party consensus that the role of planning is to treat economic, environmental and social needs equally, not to favour short term economic growth at any cost. The Government must now make substantial changes to its proposed planning policies if we are to get the efficient, locally oriented and environmentally sensitive system we believe Ministers want.
In the report the MPs
- call the document ‘unbalanced’ in favour of economic growth alone and call for the removal of a proposed default ‘yes’ to all new development
- state that the Government’s proposed ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ could undermine local plans
- call for a stronger definition of sustainable development, based on the UK’s Sustainable Development Strategy
- highlight the ‘inevitable risk’ of more countryside being lost in the absence of a clear policy of developing brownfield (previously developed) sites before greenfield.
The draft NPPF, consulted on during the summer, sparked major interest and controversy, with over 14,000 public responses. Despite this, Ministers have said they do not propose to hold a second consultation in 2012. The MPs see a strong case, however, for a further short consultation with planning practitioners.
The MPs also criticise the ‘unhelpfully vague’ wording of the draft document. The Government claimed that condensing over 1,000 pages of current policy to just 52 would provide simplicity and clarity. The MPs instead conclude that the draft NPPF ‘does not achieve clarity by its brevity.’
We all want to see a return to a healthy economy. The Government will not achieve this by putting the countryside at risk of poor quality development and undermining cities by allowing greenfields to be built on before brownfield land. We think the Committee's conclusions are considered and well-informed and we urge the Government to respond positively. Otherwise we risk returning to the unsustainable development of a generation ago, when an area of countryside three times the size of Stevenage was built on each year.
Dec 6th 2011 Simon's Christmas gift idea
Simon Groom, remembered by millions as the wry Blue Peter presenter of 30 years ago, is recommending a countryside Christmas present for people who love the Peak District. These days Simon Groom juggles his life as a Derbyshire hill farmer with his work as a documentary film maker. We're also delighted that he's our Vice President.
When he presented Blue Peter along with the likes of John Noakes and Peter Duncan in the seventies and eighties, the children’s programme was famous for its “makes.”
“Back in the day, we used to make all sorts of presents out of sticky backed plastic and chocolate bean tubes!” he recalls. “The advent candle was an annual favourite, and of course, Tracy Island went on to be a huge hit. But if you’re out of sticky backed plastic then I can’t think of a better Christmas present than a Friends of the Peak District gift membership for someone you know who loves these beautiful landscapes! They’ll get something that lasts a whole year, and you’ll know that you’ve spent your money on something very worthwhile.”
“On a daily basis, working as a broadcaster and sheep farmer I take inspiration from the Peak District, and being at one with nature really helps me with my life and work. Gift membership is simple to buy from Friends of the Peak District, and a great way to say Happy Christmas!” he adds.
A gift membership for an individual costs £27 per year; with joint membership at £42. Gift membership includes stunning landscape gift cards, a badge, goody bag, twice yearly magazine and discounts for a range of walks, events and attractions in the Peak District.
The last date for ordering a gift membership in time for Christmas is 16 December.
Dec 2nd 2011 New off-roading strategy welcomed
We're welcoming the Peak District National Park Authority’s new plans for dealing with off-roading damage in the National Park.
Some of the most sensitive routes in the Peak District are being ruined by 4x4s and trail bikes, so it was obvious that more needed to be done. Our Take Back the Tracks campaign has been calling for action so we’re really pleased to see that the Park Authority has taken notice and is doing something.
The Park Authority has allocated an extra £100,000 to manage unsurfaced routes over the next two years. Its new strategy and action plan includes: potentially closing five green lanes to vehicles; committing to repairing four specific routes; and monitoring illegal use on 100 other sites.
We do still have concerns about the future funding for maintaining our key green lanes and want to see this secured for the future. Funds are the responsibility of the highways agency, Derbyshire County Council. We hope that the Park Authority will be building a strong relationship with Derbyshire County Council to ensure our beautiful and sensitive landscapes are sustained for the future.
But overall, this is very encouraging. Now we’re keen for the Park Authority and Derbyshire County Council to get on with it!
Nov 21st 2011 Stanton: quarrying again?
Quarrying is rearing its head again at Stanton Moor. Blockstone Ltd has applied to extend its New Pilhough Quarry in exchange for giving up rights to quarry the more sensitive site of Stanton Moor Quarry which has permission to quarry until 2042.
We welcome this in principle because it fits with a local agreement made in 2000 to reduce damage in the central area of Stanton Moor by moving quarrying to less sensitive sites. But we’re not as daft as Blockstone must think we are! The new site has four times more rock in it – Blockstone estimates that there are 100,000 tonnes of workable stone at Stanton Moor Quarry, yet the potential extension at New Pilhough Quarry has nearly 500,000 tonnes. That’s hardly a fair swap – and not great for the National Park and environment!
We’ve just heard that the Peak District National Park Authority planning committee will be deciding the case in January. So please join us, Stanton in Peak Parish Council and local action groups in objecting on the Peak District National Park Authority’s online comment system quoting reference number NP/DDD/0811/0766. Or you can email your objections to Claire.Hesketh@peakdistrict.gov.uk
Nov 20th 2011 Downton in the Peak
Chatsworth’s head housekeeper Christine Robinson will be letting people into a few secrets about how life in the Peak District’s very own Downton Abbey is run and managed. She’ll share a few secrets about what goes on behind the scenes at Chatsworth, and also what’s involved with transforming the house for the Christmas festivities.
Chatsworth House has reported a surge of interest in the wake of the BBC’s blockbusting Sunday night series, and numbers for the Christmas special are expected to top previous viewing records. We're not saying we've got Mrs Elsie Hughes herself coming to Sheffield, but we've got an excellent, modern and real-life counterpart in Christine Robinson.
Whether or not you're a Downton fan, come down and find out what goes on in a grand house, and join us for a mince pie!
The Secrets of Chatsworth is at 7.30pm on Wednesday 7 December at Victoria Hall Methodist Church, Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 2JB
Tickets: £5 (free to members of Friends of the Peak District). To book a place, please contact Saskia Palmer.
Location: Victoria Hall Methodist Church, Norfolk St, Sheffield S1 2JB
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Nov 18th 2011 Large friends
Hello and welcome to our new friends at Large Outdoors. We're teaming up them to put on some great walks and events in the Peak District, Thanks for your support, Gareth and pals!
Nov 14th 2011 We're on Countryfile
We were on last Sunday's episode being interviewed about our Peak Power project into the viability of small scale hydro in and around the National Park.
After Ellie Harrison talked to Andy Tickle, the crew went on to see a newly installed turbine at Ashford in the Water. Bob Griffiths has been working on this for years, supported by us.
The episode is on BBC iPlayer for another six days, so have a look!
Nov 9th 2011 Too many houses for Hartington cheese factory site
We're urging people to tell the Peak District National Park Authority to turn down plans to redevelop the former creamery because they out of scale with the Peak District village.
We've written to the Park Authority about the recent application from Cathelco Property for 42 new homes on the site at Stonewell Lane. The new buildings would spill out onto greenfield land beyond the original footprint of the factory. There's no need for this number of houses and the size of the development will dominate the village.
These plans are over the top. Building over forty new houses will significantly affect a community of this size, and local people are worried. It’s out of scale for Hartington!
Only six of the planned houses would be affordable for local people, and these would be built together in a specific area of the development. This is not enough so we want to see a higher proportion earmarked. We’re also worried that building all the affordable houses together would create an isolated estate within an estate. They should definitely be integrated into the development.
The Park Authority is expected to make a decision about the plans in the new year - so please get in touch with your objections (application number NP/DDD/0911/0896).
Oct 20th 2011 Hydro success in Ashford
For the first time in decades, electricity is now being produced by harnessing the power of the River Wye in Ashford in the Water.
After over two years working to instate hydro power at Ashford Old Mill, the owner Bob Griffiths had his hundred year old turbine reinstalled in the summer, and has just been connected to the National Grid.
“It’s so exciting,” said Bob Griffiths, “I am absolutely delighted with it. The turbine runs perfectly and is almost silent. And the result is 15 Kw of green power for 32 homes, and it will save 63 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere every year. It was hard work, but worth it in the end!”
We've been closely involved in supporting this project, and think it is just brilliant! Not only is green power being produced for local people, but a listed mill has now been beautifully refurbished and connected to its original use. We’re also pleased that the turbine was restored by engineers near Ashbourne and that local consultants, Derwent Hydro Power, oversaw the re-instatement and grid connection.
Ashford Old Mill featured as a case study site in our 2010 Peak Power report about the feasibility of small scale hydro power in the Peak District. Our research suggested that another 1800 kW of micro hydro power is still possible in the Peak District. Ashford Old Mill getting going is excellent, but it’s still a long, uphill road!
To help support this expansion, we helped form the Peak Hydro Forum – a group aiming to raise the profile of micro hydro and share experiences. It meets regularly throughout the year including visiting hydro sites of interest. The Peak Hydro Forum will be visiting Ashford Old Mill on Saturday 29 October. Please get in touch with Andy Tickle to find out more.
Oct 18th 2011 NPPF - not over!
The deadline has gone for the draft National Planning Policy Framework public consultation - but that's by no means the end of the story!
The NPPF is the biggest shake-up of planning for over 50 years. We believe it will place all of our countryside - including the Peak District National Park - and the wider countryside - under increasing threat. Although the consultation is closed, there's still some time before the final document is published, and MPs can still make suggestions for changes and improvements.
Friends of the Peak District will be keeping up the pressure over the next few months for a radical rewrite, in order to save our countryside! We urge you to get involved too.
Oct 10th 2011 40 days to go until 80ft jump
Shriek for the Peak and help raise funds for Friends of the Peak District with this brilliant 80ft charity abseil on Saturday November 19th.
Enjoy all the thrills of a real life Spiderman by swinging from Millers Dale Bridge, while being our superhero and raising sponsorship to protect the Peak District's landscapes and countryside.
For just £25 (usual cost is £35) you can take part in an abseiling session off Millers Dale Bridge in the heart of the stunning Peak District. This old railway viaduct is part of the Monsal Trail that runs through the heart of the National Park, and under the watchful eye of trained professionals, you will abseil 80 feet down the bridge.
To take part contact Danny Anderson or phone 0114 266 5822 or download and print off an entry form.
This event is being very kindly supported by our friends at Large Outdoors.
Location: Millers Dale Bridge, Millers Dale, near Tideswell
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Sep 14th 2011 Volunteers needed to see fireworks...
...and fundraise for us at the same time! We're doing seasonal street collections this autumn at the Matlock Bath illuminations and fireworks, and at the opening of the Christmas lights in Castleton. We need people to help out so if you fancy a fun night out whilst supporting our vital work protecting these amazing landscapes, please get in touch with Danny.
Matlock Bath
- Saturday 1 October
- Saturday 15 October
- Saturday 29 October
Castleton
- Saturday 19 November
Sep 13th 2011 DCC: where were you?
We're surprised and disappointed that Derbyshire County Council is refusing to get involved in a key forum looking at the problems of off-roading in the National Park.
We've written to council leader Andrew Lewer demanding an explanation for the lack of interest. We've been lobbying the Peak District National Park Authority and Derbyshire County Council to stop 4x4 drivers and trail bikers damaging the most sensitive routes in the national park - as part of Take Back the Tracks. As a result, the Park Authority has closed Chapel Gate near Edale to all traffic on a temporary basis, and agreed to review its policy on managing off-roading. It also set up a new recreational vehicle forum to bring together key people to tackle the issue.
The new forum was to include all the relevant people involved in trying to sort out the problems of off-roading in the Peak District including Friends of the Peak District, the National Park Authority, off-roading groups, local residents and parish councils. Given that Derbyshire County Council is responsible for maintaining roads and rights of way – it was vital that they were there too. Without them, it’s impossible for the forum to discuss problems, solutions and ultimately get positive results.
We’ve been really pleased to see a change in the attitude of the Peak District National Park Authority, but for anything to happen, Derbyshire County Council needs to pull its finger out too!
We're also calling on Derbyshire County Council to take stronger and swifter action to protect green lanes from damage caused by off-roading. Back in November 2009 they promised to serve a Traffic Regulation Order to close Bradley Lane in Pilsley to all traffic. In November 2010 they promised to do the same at School Lane in Great Hucklow. Nearly two years later, no TROs have been issued.
Apart from protecting our important routes, issuing TROs makes economic sense too. At a time when local authorities are having to save money, they’re a lot cheaper than the cost of constantly repairing these routes.
Aug 18th 2011 Thumbs up for Hope houses
We're supporting an application to build two new affordable houses at Market Place in Hope. We wholeheartedly approve because there is a terrible lack of housing that local people can afford in the Peak District. According to a survey done by Derbyshire Dales District Council, there’s a need for between ten and 14 new dwellings in the village, so these two will help towards meeting a vital demand for local homes.
We are satisfied that the houses will fit the area well, and won’t have an impact on the iconic landscapes around Hope. The site is in the middle of the village just next to a recent housing development and won’t affect the countryside. In fact, the site is currently empty and rather scrubby, so a couple of houses will improve its appearance.
The Peak District National Park Authority is expected to make a decision about the application soon.
Aug 15th 2011 Peak District under attack!
The Government has published a draft National Planning Policy Framework for public consultation. It's the biggest shake-up of planning for over 50 years and we believe it will place all of our countryside - including the Peak District National Park - under increasing threat.
The NPPF does not commit to the principle that the countryside should be protected for its own intrinsic character, beauty and heritage. Instead, it will place the countryside under increasing threat and leave local communities and planning authorities largely powerless in the face of developer pressure.
We have grave concerns that pressure on the Peak District from damaging development will grow due to
- weakening of policies that currently strictly control major developments in national parks
- changes to Green Belt policy which would allow building which would previously have been restricted on the borders of the national park
- loss of emphasis on brownfield regeneration - as a result of the removal of the national brownfield target and failure to promote efficient use of land
- the creation of new neighbourhood forums that will have the power to give planning permission but will be set up in such a way that they could be dominated by businesses rather than local residents
- weakening of the 'town centre first' policy by removing office development from the sequential test which prioritises the use of land in towns and cities first
- pressure for increased car use - by removing the requirement to set maximum parking standards for non-residential parking in major developments
- abolition of exceptions policy which allows small scale affordable housing to be built in rural settlements, which is likely to add to pressure for market housing and reduce the supply of affordable housing
- weakening of controls over outdoor advertisements, including no mention of billboards being inappropriate in the countryside
You have until October 17 to take part in the consultation and oppose the plans.Please also write to your MP now! MPs tell us that the most effective letters are those written by individuals, so it's best to write from the heart telling them how your local countryside could be affected by these proposed changes. If you prefer, you can edit or use the model letter that the CPRE national network has written.
