The Staffordshire Wildlife Trust will take over the Roaches. Photo: Peak District National Park Authority
A wildlife trust has agreed to take over national park land that includes one of the country’s most popular climbing areas.
The Peak District National Park Authority has chosen Staffordshire Wildlife Trust to take on the Roaches estate, home to hundreds of different rockclimbing routes.
The authority decided to hand over stewardship of the land following the coalition Government’s decision to cut its funding by 29 per cent.
The estate is also home to the Don Whillans memorial climbing hut at Rockhall Cottage, which is leased to the British Mountaineering Council. The wildlife trust has pledged to continue this arrangement.
The Staffordshire Wildlife Trust beat off competition from the National Trust and the Land Trust to take on a 125-year lease on the 395ha (975-acre) estate in Staffordshire, which is part of a site of special scientific interest.
Christopher Pennell, chair of the Peak District National Park Authority’s audit, resources and performance committee which made the decision, said: “All three bids were strong but after careful consideration we decided that Staffordshire Wildlife Trust had put in the best tender against the authority’s demanding criteria and had demonstrated the most local support for taking on the lease.
“We evaluated all the bids to see if they were financially viable and to assess what contribution they would make, particularly the way their work would help achieve national park purposes by enabling people to enjoy and learn about this special area.
“We believe the wildlife trust provides the best future for the Roaches, with the additional resources it brings, to conserve its wildlife, heritage and landscape, ensure open access, increase understanding of its special qualities, and look after its farmland to high conservation standards.”
The authority took over the site in poor condition in 1980 to protect it for wildlife and public access. Since then it has says it has improved the area for wildlife, plants and flowers, worked with local people and interest groups and managed the estate to balance intense recreational pressures with environmental concerns.
The BMC’s chief executive Dave Turnbull had told grough recently that the Peak authority’s asset disposal was of concern. “Fundamentally we would like the national park to keep hold of these areas of land but they can’t afford it and they are going to get rid of them.”
The council’s preferred bidder was the National Trust. A BMC spokesperson said: “The BMC’s preferred option was the National Trust due to their experience in land management, dealing with moorland fires and management of old buildings.
“However, the BMC is committed to working with the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust to ensure climbers and walkers interests are maintained and that the Roaches remains well managed for both wildlife and people.”
The BMC leases Rockhall Cottage from the PDNPA and said it has a direct interest in the future management of the estate separate to the climbing and walking.
Climbing crags included in the arrangement include Hen Cloud, the Roaches, the Five Clouds, the Roaches Skyline, Back Forrest and Ludds Church. There is also a large area of Countryside and Rights of Way Act open access land.
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust said it will continue to improve access and footpaths; encourage more involvement from local people and communities; continue to look after the estate’s wildlife and cultural heritage, and work to enhance the estate’s biodiversity.
The trust is expected to begin its 125-year lease period in spring 2013 once detailed negotiations have been completed and legal agreements signed.
The Peak authority said these will ensure public access to the estate and require them to continue the restoration and conservation of habitats. Shooting rights have been specifically excluded from the lease and are retained by the authority.
A national park authority spokesperson said: “The Authority retains its freehold interest in the estate and will work with its new tenant to ensure the highest standards of care of the Roaches.”
