14.(d)

Recreation – CAMPING

Aims

14d1

To continue to provide a high quality but basic campsite which meets demand from recreational users of the Estate.

14d2

To provide additional camping facilities in the local area to help to meet demand from recreational users of the Estate.

14d3

Prevent rough camping on the Estate.

Objectives

Aim 14d1:

To continue to provide a high quality but basic campsite which meets demand from recreational users of the Estate.

14d1.1

Continue to manage North Lees Campsite in the way that it is now.   
It is recommended that North Lees Campsite should stay within Authority ownership, with the same capacity as existing (60 pitches) and continue to be managed in the way it is now, which meets the requirements of recreational users.  Common views expressed at the first Forum and in letters to the Authority, complement the site as being one of the special qualities of the Estate and extremely well run.  The Steering Group agreed that it is well run, co-ordinates well with other local businesses, is respected in the local community, as well as nationally and internationally by its customers, has minimal signs and regulations and makes a significant contribution towards education and promoting understanding of visitors to the area.  In order to achieve this on a site, which is an integral part of the Estate, so close to Sheffield and which could easily impact on local neighbours and the community of Hathersage, careful management is required in order to achieve a series of balances.  It was felt that this has been achieved and the site is a credit to the Authority.  It should therefore not be changed.  In particular, the SG recommends that any significant improvement/upgrading or leasing to commercial organisations, such as the Camping and Caravanning Club should not be considered, as the site would no longer meet the needs of the type of customer which currently use the site – for whom there is a significant lack of suitable accommodation in the area (see below).  The access to the site is also unsuitable for caravans. 

Fire regulations and the sewage system dictate that it is not possible to increase the capacity of the site within the existing area and it could not be extended for the reasons listed below against additional  provision on the Estate.  The policy of giving discount to people who arrive by public transport was also highlighted as good practice, which contributes to the vehicular access objectives.  Target Year(s): 1-2; Priority (from 1-9): 6; Lead partner & monitoring (pro-forma): National Park Authority – Estates Service.

14d1.2

Conduct a customer survey at North Lees Campsite and implement any resulting appropriate suggestions for improvement.  The survey should formally assess the level of customer satisfaction and ask what improvements campers would like to see (if any).  Target Year(s): 1-2; Priority (from 1-9): 9; Lead partners & monitoring (pro-forma): National Park Authority – Estates and Research & Monitoring Services.

Aim 14d2:

To provide additional camping facilities in the local area to help to meet demand from recreational users of the Estate.

14d2.1

Explore options for providing suitable extra camping facilities in the local area.  The Steering Group advises that there is a shortage of campsites in the area which are suitable for the type of customer that uses North Lees.  The BMC and the Authority had sought to find suitable sites in the recent past but without success.  However, it was felt that the following options should be explored (all of which would obviously be subject to planning consent):

1.

Farmers in the local area – through a notice at Eyres and local contacts.  It was felt that farmers might now be more willing to consider campsites as a potential  extra source of income.

2.

Froggatt Barn – owned by the National Trust.

3.

Sheffield City Council – as neighbouring landowners.

4.

The BMC offered to investigate ways of increasing the use of climbing huts, some of which are believed to be underused.

Target Year(s): 2-5; Lead partners & monitoring (pro-forma): British Mountaineering Council, National Park Authority – Area Management Service.

NB.  The proposed bunkhouse at North Lees Farm will only be for students and not available to the general public. 

Aim 14d3:

Prevent rough camping on the Estate.

14d3.1

Prevent people from pitching tents on the Estate (outside the campsite).  This should continue to be done by wardening and signs at access points.  This was felt to be essential due to the proximity of Sheffield and the rapid escalation in use which could result from any softening of the existing policy.  Litter and fires are particular concerns, with the increased risk of vandalism and other crime of lesser concern.  The SG considers that the balance of allowing bivvying but strictly prohibiting tents was about right for this location.  However, the current practice of allowing bivvying in the caves should continue (as long as there are no fires, litter nor other problems).  NB. Sleeping overnight in cars is not allowed in the Authority's car parks.  Target Year(s): 1-2; Priority (from 1-9): 4; Lead partners  & monitoring (pro-forma and log recording number of times tents seen on the Estate): National Park Authority – Estates and Ranger Services.

14d4

Forum suggestions not taken forward:

14d4.1

The wish to provide additional camping facilities on the Estate was expressed at the 2nd Forum.  This had been explored in the past in great detail but no suitable sites could be found where planning consent would have been granted.  It is also felt that any extra provision on the Estate would have unacceptable impacts on ecology, landscape and disturbance to local people (particularly traffic on narrow lanes).  There would also be staffing and cost issues.

14d5

Consultees

If approved, the above proposals should be pursued in partnership with the following:

• Jane Marsden – Local Representative

• Henry Folkard – British Mountaineering Council

• Bill Gordon & Flo Richardson – North Lees Estate & Campsite Wardens (National Park Authority)

• Matthew Croney - North Lees Estate Manager (PDNPA)

• Don Mabbs – Derbyshire Association of Residential Education

• Janet Priestley/Clark Field - Derby College

• Mike Rhodes - Access Officer

• John Scott – Development Control Service (PDNPA)

• Jonathan Winn - Ecologist (PDNPA)

• Richard Pollitt - English Nature
  
  

14d6

Relevant Authority Policies

The policies which are relevant to all recreation issues are detailed in report 8 - Recreation.  The following specific policies are particularly relevant to this subject.  National Park Plan paragraphs 17.35, 17.37 to 17.40.