Partnership To Run Peak Estate?

Interesting developments in the Peak District National Park where the Park Authority is considering leasing the management of its largest landholding to a partnership.

The idea of handing over the management of the Eastern Moors estate on the Sheffield side of the Peak to a partnership of conservation organisations has been recommended by the Park Authority's officers on the basis that the arrangement would be the best way of providing a bright future for the area which includes Curbar, Froggatt and Birchen Edges.


There are two potential partnerships, once is a combination of the RSPB and the National Trust with support from the BMC and the Campaign To Protect Rural England, the other comprises the Derbyshire and Sheffield Wildlife Trusts.

Head of Property Matthew Croney said: “We are recommending that a lease to a partnership of well-established, experienced and like-minded conservation organisations would be the best option for the future of the estate.

“It would allow increased investment, continued restoration and conservation of habitats, improved recreation and information, new links with neighbouring landowners and more encouragement to people from urban areas.

“However, the final decision will be taken by the committee and we would welcome people’s views.”

If you want to have a say, you can e-mail your views to matthew.croney@peakdistrict.gov.uk before Friday 15 May and your views will be included when the Authority Services Committee  assesses the rival bids on 5 June, 2009.

Background documents can be found at  www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/easternmoorsproposal and you can find more general information at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk.