National Trust takes on running of beauty spots
IT WANTS TO LINK RESERVOIRS WITH CALKE ABBEY SITE
A POPULAR beauty spot that attracts hundreds when the hot weather hits has new bosses in charge of visitors.
While Severn Trent will still be in charge of water at Foremark Reservoir, as well as Staunton Harold down the road, the National Trust has taken charge of visitor operations.
The National Trust has teamed up with Severn Trent over the running of the site. It is the first time the charity will take on the long-term management of two reservoir sites, with the agreement initially for 25 years.
Foremark Reservoir is often plagued with problems when the hot weather arrives – including dangerous parking, anti-social behaviour and people getting in the water. This is something the National Trust will be working to overcome, alongside authorities in the area.
Both beauty spots are near to Calke Abbey, in Ticknall, which is owned by the National Trust.
A spokesperson said: “The National Trust and Severn Trent have a shared ambition to enrich environments and experiences, and create strong connections between people, places and nature.
“Given their close proximity to the Calke Abbey estate, the transfer of visitor operations at Foremark and Staunton Harold to the National Trust will help both organisations work towards this ambition, together.
“With Calke Abbey, the three sites are already connected by public access routes for walking and cycling, and boast a diverse mix of wildlife habitats, including four SSSIs, heath grassland, ancient woodland and open water. Managing these areas together will ensure we can improve them for both nature and people, by ensuring wildlife can move easily through the landscape and connect wildlife rich areas and improve levels of biodiversity to help tackle the nature crisis.
“While this is an exciting venture for the Calke team, the new partnership will provide challenges to overcome and require us to adapt and operate in different ways.
“Both Foremark and Staunton Harold have an established visitor base, and we know that both are ‘hot spots’ on those sunny bank holiday weekends.
“Severn Trent and the National Trust already work closely with organisations in the area, such as the council and local police, and we will continue to build on these relations to support the smooth running of Foremark and Staunton Harold. Swimming will continue to be prohibited as there are many dangers to swimming in a reservoir.
“Reservoirs tend to have very steep sides which makes them incredibly hard to get out of, and can be very deep, with hidden machinery that can cause injuries.
“It’s important to remember that the challenges are far outweighed by the great opportunities we have to develop the visitor experience to help more people to connect with nature and conservation through these places.”
The three areas’ mix of habitats for wildlife includes species such as ivyleaved bellflower, giant bellflower, heather and digger wasp, which is nationally scarce. They are also good places to spot buzzards, jays and greatspotted woodpeckers.
Stewart Alcock, general manager at National Trust Calke Abbey, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be working with Severn Trent on this new partnership, which will enable us to manage the land for both people and nature, improving levels of biodiversity to help tackle the nature crisis.
“We have a shared ambition to enrich environments and create strong connections between people, places and nature. Working together we can build on our strengths to benefit visitors, the natural world and the provision of high-quality water.
“Both Foremark and Staunton Harold have areas of woodland and grassland, and by working together we’ll be able to improve habitat quality and create more connectivity both within and beyond the sites.” There will be an opportunity for visitors to meet with National Trust and Severn Trent teams to discuss the collaboration and answer any questions at Staunton Harold from 10am to noon tomorrow, and at Foremark from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, July 23.
Managing these areas together will ensure we can improve them both for nature and people. National Trust spokesperson