The PDNPA have announced plans to pause their consultation in to the potential closure of Bakewell visitor centre. The move follows an anonymous donor coming forward to financially support the centres for the next three years.
Sarah Dines MP said, ‘Ever since I first heard a rumour that the Bakewell Visitor Centre may be closed, I have stood alongside residents fighting against these proposals. No matter your views on the PDNPA, they have a purpose as defined in the law to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Peak District and promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the area by the public. It was my view that the closure of the visitor centres would be in direct conflict with these aims. I have never believed that the centres could move online and fulfil the same service as the knowledgeable staff members in the centres currently provide.
I have had overwhelming support for my campaign and I know a great many people have worked very hard to apply pressure to the Peak Park. I am obviously delighted that an anonymous donor has come forward to save the Peak Park Visitor Centres for the next three years. This means the consultation of the Peak Park to potentially close the centres, like the one in Bakewell is 'paused.' This is brilliant news, but it does mean that we have three years to ensure that the centres are valued by the Peak Park and they are not under threat again. I am still calling on the District Council to look at the lease of the Bakewell site to make sure it isn't too restrictive for growth and on the Peak Park to recognise the vital importance of visitor centres, for now and the future. I do not want to find ourselves having the same conversation in three years, action needs to be taken now.
I, like many of my constituents, do not accept the narrative of underfunding as seen by the comments of the Chair and Board members of the PDNPA on 19 May who spoke about the very significant history of underspends, year on year. The Peak Park can not be both struggling for money and not spending the money they have.
I wish the PDNPA well as they work to transform the organisation into a modern and high performing organisation under the new leadership of Phil Mulligan. The authority clearly needs to change as seen in their recent poor performance with planning and the requirement as set out by the government for them to improve. I will do all I can to support them in these aims and have offered help, while expecting transparency in relation to their finances and operations, as one of our most precious institutions.’