Stanage Edge. Photo: Kerry Cooper
Mountaineering representatives are calling on outdoor fans to help safeguard the future of a prime climbing crag.
The British Mountaineering Council said it fears the Peak District National Park Authority will decide to maximise its income from the Stanage Edge site as Government cuts hit hard.
It has set up a petition to persuade the authority to adopt a charter that will keep access for public and protect the area around it from commercial over-exploitation.
A BMC spokesperson said: “Stanage is the most popular crag in Britain – maybe in the world – and a classic walking destination for millions of people who visit the Peak District every year.
“But decisions are being made that could change it significantly, and we need your help to state our case.
“Right now, the Peak District National Park Authority is deciding the future of the North Lees Estate, which contains a large proportion of Stanage Edge and the surrounding moorland.
“The PDNPA is short of money and wants to generate more income from North Lees. We are concerned that could become its priority, over and above conservation and freedom of access.”
The BMC said Stanage was ‘all but given to the PDNPA’ in the early 1970s by General Sir Hugh Beech on the understanding the estate would always be somewhere everyone could enjoy quiet recreation.
“We fear such freedoms could be threatened if the PDNPA tries to develop the estate’s commercial potential – an estate acquired with public money for public benefit,” the spokesperson said.
The council said the nearby Eastern Moors Partnership is an excellent template for involving the public and setting out a plan for the future. “The PDNPA is missing the opportunity to use it” it said.
“So the BMC is offering its own charter for Stanage; a charter for the future management of Stanage, whoever owns it.”
The nine-point charter says:
- This publicly-owned estate must be retained forever for everyone. It should never be fragmented
- North Lees Estate is on Open Access Land. Any commercial enterprise must not impede the spirit of access for all
- Key stakeholders – recreational users and the local community – must be consulted before decisions are made. There must be transparency in decision-making
- Caring for conservation, wildlife and landscape is paramount. There need be no conflict between this, adventure activity and quiet enjoyment
- People value Stanage as a wild area kept free from intrusive developments. This must be safeguarded
- The cultural and archaeological heritage of Stanage must be preserved
- Any revenue raised from the estate should be reinvested in the landscape
- Shooting rights should not be exercised
- The local economy relies on preservation of these values and open access.
The BMC is urging climbers, walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts to sign Stand up for Stanage petition. At the time of publication, it had attracted more than 2,000 signatures.
Barbara Crossley
30 August 2013You may be interested to know that Jim Dixon, chief executive of the Peak District National Park Authority, has issued this comment:
“There is nothing in our plans that will harm the interests of the whole of the North Lees Estate and all it does for the environment, visitors and local community.
“The BMC can be assured that officers of the National Park Authority would support much, if not all, of the ‘Stand up for Stanage’ Charter.
"We do need to review the management of this important estate, and the Authority has a track record of making important decisions on land and properties that have improved their overall contribution to the national park, such as the successful and innovative Eastern Moors Partnership and the transfer of the Roaches Estate to the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.
“It is early days for our consideration of the future of the North Lees estate and no decisions have been made. I welcome the BMC’s input to our debates.”
Davidmartin
30 August 2013Im going up whatever they say or do , put me in prison , beat me take my car ive been climbing and walking those hills scince 1963 , ive got squatters rights by now.