GO-AHEAD FOR PLAN TO UPGRADE ACCESS AT TOURIST HOTSPOT
New steps, better footpaths and signs at Thor’s Cave
IMPROVEMENTS to one of the Staffordshire Moorlands’ most popular tourist spots have been approved
A planning application had been submitted to the Peak District National Park Authority for the creation of steps and improvement of surfacing to a heavily-used right of way, along with the installation of new access furniture at Thor’s Cave, near Wetton.
The application has been put forward by the Trustees of the Devonshire Maintenance.
Now planners at the Peak Park have given their approval to the project. A supporting statement by Charlotte Leech, deputy estate manager at Chatsworth, said: “The works proposed at Thor’s Cave are to improve public access to a popular site.
“Thor’s Cave has always been well visited but during 2020 and 2021 visitor numbers have increased rapidly.
“One of the main routes of access is a concessionary footpath from Wetton village. The condition of this path has deteriorated which is leading to visitors straying from the path and extending areas of erosion.
“Visitors also want to access the head of Thor’s Cave which has limited formal access and visitors do not remain on the designated route.
“The access is currently steep and there is a large scar of erosion from visitors.”
Some of this area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and so requires improvement to the management of people to reduce erosion.
In a consultation process, Wetton Parish Council, said: “The parish council finds this to be a constructive proposal by the applicant, demonstrating their recognition that the recent significant increase in visitor numbers is damaging the environment.
“Accordingly, the parish council supports this application and hopes that it is just the beginning of a series of further projects to manage pedestrian and vehicular access to this popular attraction and normalise the residents’ peaceful enjoyment of their homes and surroundings.”
A report by senior planner Andrea Needham said: “The increases in visitor pressure since the beginning of the pandemic is an issue that is being faced at popular tourist destinations across the National Park.
“The proposed footpath improvements are essential in order to secure the effective management of this area of the Natural Zone and would improve the footpaths in question in accordance with policies. It is considered that impacts on the amenity of local residents is likely to be neutral.”