A user was quizzing me about the survey so I said I would post my response below for reference. I’ve put ‘this’ below selected options and additional comments in red.
Sorry if format is bad.
Stanage North Lees Estate consultation
Stange North Lees is a 542 hectare estate in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park (PDNP) and owned by the Peak District National Park Authority.
The Authority is re-thinking how the estate is managed so that we:
* continue to care for the Estate and promote understanding in a sustainable way which respects and enhances wildlife, heritage and landscape
* use the Estate’s assets to best economic effect
and would like your opinion on how best to do this.
The consultation is open to anybody and anonymous. It should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Before starting the survey, please read the background information at
www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/northleesconsultationResponses will be published and used by Authority members to inform their decision-making.
1. With regard to the Estate as a whole, and the aims that we have for the Estate, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
The Authority can best achieve these aims by managing the Estate itself.
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree this
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
Buildings and facilities at the estate will be used to best economic effect if they are leased to private tenants.
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
This
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
The Authority should reduce the financial liability of the Estate’s buildings.
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
This
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
Additional comments on the Estate as a whole.
The consultation is going about things in a narrow way rather than considering things holistically. I believe that the future of the buildings should be viewed in terms of their potential to support public recreational use and vision for the estate rather than as money making ventures. If leased to private tenants then that prevents public use. The assets with the most potential is tapping into the love that users have for the place notably in Sheffield. If the PDNPA is unable or unwilling to the intangible assets then it should consider passing ownership and management to a better funded organisation or group of organisations such as the National Trust.2. With regard to North Lees Hall, to what extent do you agree with the following statements?
The Hall would be more attractive as a holiday let if people knew that any profit went to the National Park Authority and was used for looking after the Estate.
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
This
* Neither agree nor disagree
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
The Hall is more suited to ‘Bed & Breakfast’ type accommodation than ‘holiday cottage’ type accommodation.
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
This
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
The Hall is an appropriate place for a café.
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
This
* Neither agree nor disagree
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
The Hall is most suitable as a private residence.
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
This
The Hall is most suitable as holiday accommodation.
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
This
The Hall should be open to the public
* Agree
This
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
Additional comments on North Lees Hall.
Given the historical connection to the Brontes I think more imaginative uses can be incorporated as well perhaps in addition to using it as a cafe if this agreeable with the Stanage Forum3. With regard to the Campsite, to what extent do you agree with the following statements?
The Campsite should be leased to a private operator.
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
* Disagree somewhat
This
* Disagree
The Campsite should have high quality facilities and be promoted more widely.
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
* Disagree somewhat
This
* Disagree
Additional comments on the Campsite
High quality facilities suggests higher prices. This is fine so long as plentiful cheap basic camping is also provided for those with shallower pockets and/or those who enjoy a simpler outdoor experience 4. With regard to Cattiside Cottage, to what extent do you agree with the following statements?
It should be sold on the open market as a private dwelling
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
* Disagree somewhat
This
* Disagree
It should be refurbished and used as a holiday let
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
This
It should be refurbished and leased as a private dwelling
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
This
It should be leased to a housing association as a local needs dwelling
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
This
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
Additional comments on Cattiside Cottage
No options have been presented for public recreational use. If proceeds are put back into estate then a sale may be appropriate.5. With regard to the Cruck Barn, to what extent do you agree with the following statements?
It should be converted to residential accommodation
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
This
It should be converted to accessible holiday cottages
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
* Disagree somewhat
This
* Disagree
It should be leased long-term to a private individual who would be allowed to convert it to residential accommodation
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
This
Although it is unsuitable for modern farm machinery, it should still be kept as a barn
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
This
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
Additional comments on the Cruck Barn
6. What other uses do you think might be suitable for the Cruck Barn, bearing in mind the very limited car parking?
A sheltered convening area for outdoor groups such as DOE teams 7. With regard to the Car Parks, to what extent do you agree with the following statement, bearing in mind that current car park income is a vital part of the Estate’s annual budget?
It is fair to expect a charge to be made for car parking, and this should be consistent across all the estate car parks.
* Agree
* Agree somewhat
* Neither agree nor disagree
* Disagree somewhat
* Disagree
This
Additional comments on the Car Parks.
I think a primary aim should be to maintain free parking to encourage recreational use and discourage inappropriate parking on the verge8. What is your vision for the Estate?
Minimise interference and take a lead from users and interested organisations such as the Stanage Forums on suitable custodianship9. What in your view is the distinctive character and role of the Estate?
A beautiful place to walk and climb that is easily accessible 10. What do you currently value about the Estate that you would like to see retained?
Accessible world class rock climbing. Accessibility includes free parking11. What would you like to change or improve?
Keep the bracken down. Take down the obtrusive signage about car parking. Follow the plan put together by the Stanage Forum12. Thinking of each of the 3 options as a whole, which one do you feel is the best way to achieve both of these 2 aims:
* To use the Estate’s assets to best economic effect
* To care for the Estate and promote understanding in a sustainable way which respects and enhances wildlife, heritage and landscape for everyone, forever
Option 1 - Investment
* Refurbish North Lees Hall for holiday accommodation
* Refurbish Cattiside Cottage for use as either holiday or residential accommodation
* upgrade Campsite washrooms & more marketing
* Convert Cruck Barn to either accessible holiday cottages or residential accommodation
* Use Ranger Briefing Centre for interpretation about the estate and as a meeting point
* Charging at all estate car parks
Option 2 - Arm’s-length management
* Let North Lees Hall to private tenant
* Let Cattiside Cottage to a Housing Association
* Let Campsite to private operator
* Let Cruck Barn on a long-term residential improvement lease
* Undertake essential maintenance only at Ranger Briefing Centre
* Charging at all estate car parks
Option 3 - Reduce liabilities
* Let North Lees Hall to private tenant
* Sell Cattiside Cottage
* Let Campsite to private operator
* Undertake essential maintenance only at Cruck Barn and Ranger Briefing Centre
* Mix of charged and free car parks
* Option 1 - Investment
* Option 2 - Arm's length management
* Option 3 - Reduce liabilities
Additional comments on the Options as a whole
I do not want to tick any of these but the survey does not allow any other options as the mix is wrong. I ticked option 1 but want it disregarded