Author: Stephen Barr

The Peak Park is currently seeking feedback as part of preparation of a new plan for the Peak District.  A full explanation of the process and questions on which the Peak Park is seeking responses can be found on the Peak Park website.   The Parish Council is in the process of drafting our responses to these questions.   An initial draft version of these responses can be found at the link below. Individual residents are free to comment directly to the Peak Park, but if you would like to feed into the response from the Parish Council, please email your thoughts to the Clerk.  HwAPC draft response to Peak Park plan

The Peak District National Park Authority is reviewing the Local Plan and is about to undertake a statutory consultation.  As part of this process, they will be holding a number of drop in consultation events, including ones in Hathersage Memorial Hall on 10 October (3 pm to 8 pm) and in Hope Sports Club on 15 October (1 pm to 5 pm).

We understand that Jon Pearce, the new MP for High Peak, is planning to hold a surgery in Hope on October 4th.  We don't have details on time and location at this point, but his Facebook page invites constituents to email him at Jon.Pearce.MP@parliament.uk to arrange a time for a consultation if you have an issue you want to raise with him.  He comments:  'My surgeries are private and confidential and are by appointment only to ensure people can have the time and space to share the issues they need advice or help with.'

Residents will no doubt already have noticed that since the end of June this service has been in operation, connecting Hope, Edale, Castleton, Chapel, Dove Holes and Buxton.  As far as we are aware, this will be a permanent new service.   For a full timetable click here:  Buxton to Hope bus service

Following the recent public information session at Bradwell Memorial Hall, the date is fast approaching on which the main road through Brough will be closed to traffic (from 17 June, for up to three months).  Extensive signage is planned to route traffic by a detour via Hathersage, Surprise View and round to Baslow (separate works are being undertaken at Grindleford during an overlapping time period).

The Old Hall Hotel has filed an application to extend its licensing hours.  A detailed discussion of this issue took place at the Parish Council on 8 July and is recorded in the minutes of that meeting.  Both Rick Ellison and the licensing officer have confirmed that performance of music in a tent or marquee will continue to require a special licence.

Derbyshire County Council have announced that the main road in Brough will be closed from Monday 17 June for up to 3 months.  There will be a public information drop-in session on Tuesday 4 June from 3 pm at the Bradwell War Memorial Hall, Netherside, Bradwell S33 9JL.  For more information go to https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/transport-roads/roads-traffic/brough/brough-retaining-wall-repairs.aspx

Castleton Visitor Centre will be temporarily closed from Monday 26 February for around three weeks for building repairs following recent flood damage.  Blueberry Café will be open as usual, and the adjacent public toilets and car park, run by High Peak Borough Council, will operate as normal.

Derbyshire County Council have announced that Winnats Pass will be closed for traffic on weekdays between 8 am and 5 pm from 19th February to 1st March. There will also be restrictions on footpath access on the pass while engineers are undertaking inspection of rock faces.  The roads and footpaths will reopen as soon as the work is completed.

A new series of Peak District roadshows will give local people the chance to share their views with National Park Authority chief executive Phil Mulligan.   The first such event will take place in the Castleton Visitor Centre (Blueberry Café) on Wednesday 14 February at 2.30pm to 4.30pm.