UKC

Meeting to Discuss Future of Stanage

© Alan James

In early November the Stanage Forum are holding an open AGM to discuss the Peak District National Park Authority's (PDNPA) outline proposals for the funding and management of the North Lees Estate, which includes the iconic Stanage Edge. If you have a view on how Stanage is run now, or want to discuss how things might be done better in future, then here is your chance to be heard.

A busy February day at Stanage  © Alan James
A busy February day at Stanage
Alan James - Rockfax, Feb 2008
© Alan James

The 545 hectare North Lees Estate, which includes a large part of Stanage Edge and the surrounding moorland, has been owned by the PDNPA for around 40 years. It is public property, managed for the public benefit. But against a background of budget cuts at the National Park, concerns were raised in 2013 that the Park Authority's desire to make a financial return from the estate might compromise conservation and access. 

Backed by over 20,000 signatures, the BMC's Stand Up For Stanage campaign called for the PDNPA to respect a 'Stanage Charter': that North Lees must be retained in public ownership in perpetuity, and never fragmented; that any commerical activity must not impede free public access; that the conservation of the estate's wildlife and uncluttered landscape should take priority; that any revenue raised on the estate must be reinvested there; and that any future decisions are made in consultation with key stakeholders. 

In the autumn of 2013 the PDNPA voted to retain ownership and management of Stanage. However the issue of money is still unresolved. If the estate has to pay for itself, then how should its upkeep be funded? The Park Authority's proposals will be outlined at the meeting.  

Possible sources of income seem limited. The National Park might for instance seek to make pay and display parking legally enforceable. But not everyone would welcome such a move. If this meant installing substantial parking infrastructure and signage then the much prized unspoilt landscape might suffer, according to the BMC's Peak Area access rep Henry Folkard.

'If you like the landscape and access arrangements at Stanage just as they currently are, then come to the meeting and say so' says Henry.

'Because if you don't then things might change.'

On the other hand, perhaps you have a bright idea about how the North Lees Estate might make money without compromising the landscape and free access so valued by climbers and walkers?

'This meeting is your chance to be heard' says Henry.

Is it a chance we can afford to miss?

  • Stanage Forum Meeting: 2pm 1 November, Memorial Hall, Hathersage. Open to all, attendance free

This post has been read 9,605 times

Return to Latest News


22 Oct, 2014
Enforcable parking charges, can't see how it won't happen, and I don't think it would be the end of the world if it did. I've loads of respect for HF's good work, but this line "If this meant installing substantial parking infrastructure and signage then the much prized unspoilt landscape might suffer, according to the BMC's Peak Area access rep Henry Folkard." is overegging it a bit. Particularly when the article is illustrated with all those paragliders
22 Oct, 2014
i start work at 2pm that day... could someone post here how the meeting goes/what the major proposals are/etc. Many thanks.
22 Oct, 2014
I think it's utterly bizarre that the processes in this country for parking charges are so complex and cumbersome that there exist pay and display car parks that are legally optional. FWIW, adding charges (the same figure) at all the Stanage car parks might have the benefit of spreading out the parking better, such that you are more likely to be able to park near where you wish to climb. I'd add that if at all possible (wouldn't be at all the sites) pay on exit is preferable - the National Trust are using such a system (non-barriered and camera enforced) at some of their sites in the Lakes and it works well. Card payment also appreciated. Pay by phone pretty useless due to lack of signal... Neil
22 Oct, 2014
I guess the problem is not so much the changes to the car parks - I wouldn't be strongly against additional Pay & display machines - but enforcement is a different issue. The verges around the Plantation car park are already much used by folk trying to avoid charges, and similar casual parking exists on verges all over the place - it's not really comparable to the narrow walled lanes in the Lakes.. To force users to use car parks you'd have to white line or bund (as is done NW of the Popular end) the entire road. Not such a problem on quiet days but on busy days you lose all that overflow capacity. It's important to understand that the current situation is a compromise reached through much discussion in the past, following the initial introduction (and vandalism) of machines and bunding of the popular end road. If more machines were to be accepted it would be important that users knew the money was going directly back into the estate rather than the general Park coffers.
22 Oct, 2014
The P&D charges at the Plantation already are enforceable. Whatever legal wrinkle it was that prevented the PDNPA from enforcing them was resolved years ago. They're still not routinely enforced because it wouldn't be cost effective. Most people do pay, and it's reckoned that the cost of enforcing the charges would outweigh the likely revenue. A big +1 to Adam's comments. I wouldn't object to P&D machines at the pop end, but I probably would object to the other work that would be necessary to make them viable.
More Comments
Loading Notifications...
Facebook Twitter Copy Email