Agenda item

Stanage/North Lees Consultation

Louise Hawson informed the LAF that the National Park had commissioned an appraisal regarding the built assets on the Stanage estate last year.  The appraisal was completed,  and a consultation, which has just closed, looked at some of the options which have come out of the appraisal for how the Authority might continue to manage the assets on the Estate.

The Stanage Forum and a number of other stake holders were concerned that the Authority were just looking at the buildings and not taking an holistic view of the Estate, so the Stanage Forum put together a response, which was circulated to the LAF Members, and the BMC also did a response, and as a result of that Bob Berzins has drafted a response from the LAF, so if there are any comments, then please let Bob have them as soon as possible.

Agreed:

That the LAF supported the letter that Bob Berzins has drafted to send to Emma Stone.

Trails Management Plan

Charlotte Gilbert reported that the plan, which is in draft form, will be published in due course..  There has been quite a lot of comment on social media regarding the recent resurfacing of a stretch of the Tissington Trail which had been tarmaced, and the installation of a barrier.

Mike Rhodes reported that the resurfacing was replacing pre-existing tarmac, which was originally put in to resist rain water damage, so it wasn’t new, and is a course tarmac which provides sufficient grip on the steep gradient. The barrier, which was put in for safety reasons to slow users down has been there for well over ten years so was not new either, but will be looked at, even though there has not been any complaints about it for over 10 years.

Monsal Trail

John Thompson reported that he had sent a letter to the local MP Sarah Dines on behalf of the Local Access Forum, for which the Chief Executive and Chair of the Authority were grateful, regarding  keeping the Monsal Trail open as a resource, which was recognised not just locally but nationally. There was no suitable alternative and it should be maintained and safeguarded  as a  key national asset.  The trail is very well used and extremely popular and the Forum is aware that there was a petition going around to get the trail re-opened again to take cars off the road between Matlock and Buxton.  No response has been received as yet from Sarah Dines, but John will keep the Members updated.

Spirit of Kinder Day

Roly Smith asked If any Member would like a  free copy of the ACID booklet,  which was all about archaeology, then please take one, or ask Anna Badcock.

Roly Smith circulated a leaflet to all Members regarding the Spirit of Kinder day which is taking place on the 25 April in Manchester, which will celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the Countryside & Rights of Way Act.