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Roaches management handed to SWT (Read 3999 times)

cofe

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Roaches management handed to SWT
November 25, 2011, 01:52:30 pm
Just been told that SWT have been handed management of the Roaches. I'm sure there'll be more info soon. Worth noting the BMC were in support of the National Trust's bid...

Johnny Brown

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#1 Re: Roaches management handed to SWT
November 25, 2011, 04:49:50 pm
Official press release here:

http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/news/current-news/wildlife-trust-to-lease-the-roaches

One of the deciding factors was SWT's enthusiasm to go balls-deep for a 125 year lease. The NT had offered a 30 year lease with a 15 year break. Given that the NT was formed in 1895 and the SWT in 1969, and the changes in management for the Roaches over even the last 40 years, I would say 125 years is an admirable objective indeed but the NT's offer was a little more grounded.

The other main criteria was local support. My impression was this came more from local politicians than the public themselves.

Time will tell if SWT are up to the job. It certainly has the potential to do a lot for them, so hopefully they will return the favour.

Overall the meeting was a tad disappointing though. The way in which the future of such a well-loved piece of publically owned land was decided - behind closed doors, by an unelected body, guided by a confidential document -  left a bitter taste. All hidden due to the weak excuse of 'information relating to financial or business affairs'. Much of what was discussed did not fall under those headings and should have been made public. In fact a better approach might have been to ask the three bidders if they needed any 'financial affairs' keeping private, as I'm sure the answer would have been no.

shark

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#2 Re: Roaches management handed to SWT
November 25, 2011, 05:25:18 pm
http://www.thebmc.co.uk/News.aspx?id=4566

The all important decision over the future of the Roaches has been made today, with the announcement that Staffordshire Wildlife Trust will take on a 125 year lease of the estate.
The Roaches, an iconic climbing crag and beauty spot near Leek in Staffordshire, is one of the estates being "disposed of" as part of a wider asset review by the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) due to budgetary pressures.

The Roaches Estate comprises a long thin strip of land with a variety of habitats from open moorland to plantation forest, incorporating a number of important crags such as Hen Cloud, The Roaches, The Five Clouds, The Roaches Skyline and Back Forest.

The Park Authority considered proposals from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, The National Trust and The Land Trust before deciding to entrust Staffordshire Wildlife Trust with the estate's future management.

The BMC’s preferred option was The National Trust due to its experience in land management, dealing with moorland fires and management of visitors to popular areas such as the Roaches. 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 so has a direct interest in the future management of the estate separate to the climbing and walking.

BBC Radio Stoke is covering the news story and interviewed BMC CEO Dave Turnbull. Listen again at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00ln479. They will be talking to the successful bidder in due course.

Watch this space for interviews with local BMC access reps who will be talking about what the decision means for climbers and walkers.

shark

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#3 Re: Roaches management handed to SWT
December 01, 2011, 11:24:30 pm
Last Friday the three bids for management of the Roaches estate were considered and a winning bid decided upon.
The Roaches Estate is the second parcel of land to be considered for disposal by the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) and includes important walking routes and crags such as Hen Cloud, the Roaches, Back Forrest, The Five Clouds and Skyline.

It follows the National Trust and RSPB coming together to form the Eastern Moors Partnership to manage the Eastern Moors estate (including crags such as Froggatt and Curbar) last year, and precedes the next major estate of interest to walkers and climbers – North Lees, which includes Stanage.
 
This ‘asset disposal’ is a result of the PDNPA, along with many other National Parks and public bodies, having to make budget cuts. Historically the PDNPA has owned considerably more land than other National Park Authorities and as part of its cost saving review, a number of areas of its land were identified to be disposed of, through sale or lease to other organisations or individuals.
 
Following a year long process of consultation and putting the estate up for tender, the PDNPA’s Audit, Resources & Planning Committee met on the 25th November 2011 to decide which bid should be chosen to manage the site. Out of the three bids from the Land Trust, National Trust and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust (SWT), the SWT bid was chosen to take on management of the estate through a 125 year lease.
 
Local BMC access reps and keen local climbers Andi Turner, Henry Folkard, Adam Long and Neil Foster along with BMC Access & Conservation Officer Rob Dyer attended the public part of the meeting, with Andi and Henry each giving three minute speeches on the importance of the estate for climbers and walkers. We managed to capture some of their thoughts on the decision and the process in this short video clip.

The Roaches Estate - what does the future hold

 

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