Campaigners support new ecohouses in Youlgrave

Countryside campaigners are celebrating the Peak District National Park Authority’s decision today to give planning permission for two new “super-green, super-screened” houses in Youlgrave.   
 
The houses will be built into the side of Bradford Dale on the edge of the village. They will be screened from view by the slope of the Dale and by trees. Their design includes modern sustainable features including efficient insulation, passive solar heating, photo voltaic cells, green roofs, and rain water harvesting.
 
The Authority’s Planning Committee gave the go-ahead for the earth sheltered dwellings against the recommendations of its own planning officers. The people applying to build the houses already live in the village – and this caused some controversy because the National Park Authority’s planning policies state that new houses can only be built for, and occupied by, local people in need of housing.
 
John King, planning officer from local countryside charity Friends of the Peak District1, spoke at the National Park Authority’s planning committee today.
 
“We know this is potentially a tricky one, but actually it means that four local needs dwellings will be added to Youlgrave’s housing stock. The applicants already live in Youlgrave and they want to move into the new houses. But they are willing to sign a legal undertaking to say that the two new houses - and the two houses that they are moving from – will comply with the National Park Authority’s local occupancy rules. So building these two new houses will reap four properties ring-fenced for local people in the future,” said John King.
 
The scheme is supported by other people in Youlgrave including the Parish Council, and there were no objections to it.
 
“We think this is a great scheme. The applicants have lived in the village for over ten years and are respected members of the local community. The houses have brilliant green design features, and they won’t have any significant impact on the landscape. But best of all, it means more houses for local people, so we think the National Park Authority has made the right decision,” said John King.
 
As the proposal is contrary to the Authority’s planning policy which prevents new dwellings if the occupier isn’t in need of accommodation, the decision must be ratified at the next Full Authority Meeting.

For more details please visit: www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk

Kilimanjaro Calling!

David - The Large Outdoors Gofer... A few months ago Large Outdoors gofer David (some of whom you'll have met and know!) accepted a challenge of not only physical stamina, but of mental resolve too! 'A weekend away with Large Outdoors?’ I hear you ask...not quite...Kilimanjaro awaits!

David will be embarking on a trek to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.  Kilimanjaro is the highest Mountain on the African continent and the highest freestanding mountain in the world at 5,895 meters or 19,341 feet above sea level. On completion of this trip he hopes to have raised significant funds for the deafblind charity Sense.  

David said:

"Sense is an amazing charity and I have been involved with fund raising for them in the UK.  We live in a visual and sound filled world, and I love photography and music.  I just can't begin to imagine living with a visual or hearing impairment, let alone both, can you?”

"Being able to help Sense to continue to enrich peoples lives is going to be so rewarding.  I'm really looking forward to the challenge and meeting the team, this will be a truly amazing experience and it's going to be emotional."

If you’d like to follow David on his pre challenge training he has set up a facebook page..please 'LIKE" and a twitter account..please follow!

For those of you who would like to contribute to his Sense fund he has set up a JustGiving page.  

David said:

"Your generosity will be greatly appreciated and help enrich the lives of those affected with deafblind conditions. Thank you so much!"

Follow David on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/MountainMico-Challenge-2012-Trekking-Kilimanjaro-for-Sense/208937769195396

On twitter:
@mountainmico

And donate to Sense via David's Justgiving Page:
www.justgiving.com/MountainMico

Surf's up - Gower surf lessons online..

Join us on the Gower Coast as we try out surfing... Surf lessons for beginners starting Sunday 20th May. .

Book now using the link below:

http://www.largeoutdoors.com/event-diary/2012/5/20/gower-coast-learn-to-surf-session.html

This event is also part of the Gower Coast Walking Weekend...

http://www.largeoutdoors.com/event-diary/2012/5/18/social-outdoor-activity-weekend-gower-coast.html

Charity calls for off-roading ban at Long Causeway

Countryside campaigners are demanding that Derbyshire County Council takes action and closes an iconic Peak District green lane to damaging traffic.  
 
Derbyshire County Council has just announced that Long Causeway is to be legally classified as a Byway Open to All Traffic, or BOAT. The historic three-mile track is part of a centuries-old former packhorse route. It has never been classified before and has therefore always been legitimate for motor use. This new status will continue to give off-roaders the legal right to use it.
 
Long Causeway crosses Stanage Edge and spectacular moorlands that are highly protected areas for wildlife. It is one of four priority Peak District routes that Friends of the Peak District1 has identified as needing the most urgent action.
 
“In some ways this is good news, because it means that the whole question of protecting this iconic green lane is being raised,” said John King, planning officer at Friends of the Peak District. “We can’t argue with the new classification – clearly Long Causeway has been used by horses and carts for centuries so unfortunately, vehicles today have rights there too. But we want this changing! Recreational 4x4 drivers and trail bikers are ripping up this lane, as well as ruining the peace and enjoyment of other people.”
 
Friends of the Peak District held a protest rally at Long Causeway last summer, demanding that both Derbyshire County Council and the Peak District National Park Authority took action to close the Peak District’s most sensitive tracks to off-roaders. Both authorities are responsible for managing green lanes in the National Park. As a result the Peak District National Park Authority will be looking at vehicle regulation for Long Causeway later this year. The charity wants Derbyshire County Council to follow suit.
 
“We want to see Long Causeway closed to off-roaders for good. Derbyshire County Council has the power to serve a Traffic Regulation Order here, and that’s what needs to happen,” said John King.
 
The charity has been also lobbying Derbyshire County Council to close Bradley Lane at Pilsley and School Lane at Great Hucklow. Instead of this, the Council has repaired the surface of the lanes.  
 
“We are really very disappointed that Derbyshire County Council decided to only repair Bradley Lane and School Lane. It’s a short term and unsustainable solution and they are throwing good money after bad! There are compelling reasons for closing them, and we hope that Derbyshire County Council will do the right thing in the long term for all our of our precious green lanes,” John King said.

Join the Barefoot Shepherdess, living off the view

Join Friends of the Lake District for an open farm day on Saturday 5 May at Shacklabank, a small traditional hill farm near Sedbergh with magnificent views over the Howgill Fells.
 
The day’s events include a dry stone walling competition and training day, as well as a chance to meet Alison O'Neill, better known as the barefoot shepherdess, who will share her love of farming and passion for the landscape by leading leisurely yet informative walks around the farm.
 
The dry stone walling competition and training course will take place throughout the day as part of Friends of the Lake Districts’ 'Work the View' project. Work the View is about teaching the skills to restore, create and manage landscape features including walls, hedges, and hay meadows.  Aimed at people working in the farming, food and forestry sector, the training events also allow the public to learn more about the nature and management of these important landscape features.
 
Alison is well aware of the rewards that can be gained from work relating to these landscapes.  Having arrived at Shacklabank as a tenant 13 years ago with just £60 and a rucksack, she has worked hard to run a successful farm and always remembered what her Grandma had said to her: 'you'll never live off the view!' However, Alison, proving her Grandma wrong, believes this is exactly what she has achieved.  To subsidise her income from the farm, Alison leads guided walks, often barefooted, hence the nickname and has also developed her own range of tweed clothing.  The tweed is woven by hand in the Outer Hebrides and the garments created in Cumbria.  Alison's long-term aim is to create tweed out of the wool from her own flock of rough fell sheep.
 
The tweed clothing will be on display at the open day together with displays from other organisations such as walking stick makers, the Fell Pony Society and Dry Stone Walling Association.  There will also be the chance to see working dog demonstrations, enjoy your picnic under cover and some refreshments will be available.
 
For more information please contact Friends of the Lake District on 01539 720788 or email: carol-douglas@fld.org.uk