12 SEPTEMBER 2017

WHAT FUTURE DO WE WANT FOR ’S SANDSTONE RIDGE? NOTES OF A WORKSHOP FOR TOWN AND PARISH COUNCILS

THE SANDSTONE RIDGE TRUST, SUPPORTED BY THE CHESHIRE ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS

What future do we want for Cheshire’s Sandstone Ridge?

NOTES OF A WORKSHOP FOR THE TOWN AND PARISH COUNCILS OF CHESHIRE’S SANDSTONE RIDGE HELD IN COMMUNITY CENTRE, TUESDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2017, 6.30 – 8.30 PM

Introduction

The Sandstone Ridge Trust is finding out what people think about Cheshire's Sandstone Ridge and how best to shape the future of this special place as part of a two year Heritage Lottery funded Transition Project (2017-18).

Views and opinions are being collected through: • 121 interviews with key organisations and stakeholders • A survey of visitors to popular destinations along the Sandstone Ridge • A Community Consultation in the form of an online questionnaire.

The Sandstone Ridge (National Character Area 62: Cheshire Sandstone Ridge) encompasses 51 parishes (either wholly or partly), administered by 39 Town and Parish Councils/Meetings (some councils cover more than one parish). Through their duties, powers and role as a voice for local people, Town and Parish Councils/Meetings are key to shaping the future of the Sandstone Ridge and ensuring that the area continues to be enjoyed by present and future generation and provide multiple environmental, social and economic benefits.

As part of the Community Consultation a dedicated workshop was held for Town and Parish Councils on Tuesday 12 September 2017, organised with the support of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils (ChALC). ChALC represents and promotes the interest of local councils in Cheshire through support, information and training.

2 Process and format

Email invitations were sent by ChALC to all of the 39 Town and Parish Councils/Meetings that are located wholly or partly within the Sandstone Ridge project area. This was followed up by phone calls to parish clerks. In total, 11 attendees from 9 parish councils attended the workshop (Appendix 1).

The 2-hour workshop followed a session plan (Appendix 2). Following a welcome from Stuart Hulse, Chairman of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils, Andrew Hull, Chairman of The Sandstone Ridge Trust introduced the Trust’s work and aspirations for the Sandstone Ridge. A short quiz followed, challenging attendees about what they knew about the Sandstone Ridge (Appendix 3). This was followed by 3 short, interactive discussions facilitated by Sandstone Ridge Trust Trustees with attendees divided into 4 tables to enable them to provide their views on:

1. How does your parish interact with the Sandstone Ridge? 2. What challenges does the Sandstone Ridge generate and what local benefits are there? 3. How might we work together to look after the Sandstone Ridge?

Key points from each table were then fed back to all attendees in a plenary session, allowing an opportunity for further general discussion.

The session closed with final remarks from Andrew Hull and what happens next, including a “Call to action” suggesting what local councils can do to help protect and conserve the Sandstone Ridge (Appendix 4).

3 Key points

The narrative below summarises the key points to emerge from the workshop.

Topic 1. How does your parish interact with the Sandstone Ridge? Attendees identified the following ways in which their parishes interact with the Ridge:

• The Sandstone Trail goes through several parishes – it is the necklace that links together the Ridge • Planning impact – visual aspects need consideration • The Ridge is a rural area that brings in tourists • The Ridge provides business opportunities for tourism, for example, bed and breakfast • Parishes have been involved in previous works to hillforts (through Habitats and Hillforts). • Some parishes are already actively involved with the Sandstone Ridge Trust • Parishes have community assets, such as village halls that are linked to the local area and central to their villages, and could be used more • Parishes, for example, Peckforton, have researched their local and natural history and produced interpretation boards • Farmers have benefitted from funds for hedgerows and the development of wildlife corridors • Parishes interact with the National Trust on the charity’s land through Friends Groups operating on the Ridge, eg, Quarry • For some parishes, like , the Sandstone Ridge provides the viewpoint and setting (backdrop) for the parish • Footpaths and bridleways and challenges of maintenance • Many people living within the parishes use the Ridge for dog walking • Local councils can interact with the Ridge and its protection through neighbourhood plans • The parishes on the Ridge include a wide range of heritage assets used by the community, for example, the trig point and Observer Corps Bunker at Helsby, Helsby Quarry, Harmers Wood, and the oak tree at Peckforton Castle – one of the oldest in Cheshire • Parishes interact via the information conveyed on their websites • Some Parish Councillors have additional roles protecting heritage assets on the Ridge, for example, as tree wardens • Parish Councils work with local businesses • Some parish councils work closely together, for example, Peckforton and Beeston Parishes on beacon lighting to commemorate the centenary of the end of the Great War in 11/11/2018 • Parish doesn’t lie within the Ridge, but does have links with .

4 Topic 2. What challenges does the Sandstone Ridge generate and what local benefits are there? Attendees highlighted the following challenges:

• Tourism brings challenges to the likes of the National Trust and local councils in respect of issues like car parking • Is the Ridge at capacity for the number of visitors it can accommodate? • Issue of damage to the area from visitors and wear and tear on the ridge itself, eg, the impacts of climbers on outcrops and cliffs • Traffic speed issues • Footpath maintenance • Car parking generally, eg, Bulkeley Hill • No room for parking places • Shortcut speeding in country lanes • Logistics of getting from end of the Sandstone Trail, back to the other on public transport • Balancing development against preservation • Maintaining rural look – managing housing development/buildings (importance of having Neighbourhood Development Plan) • Integration of the common interests of voluntary organisations • Parishes do not feel challenged • Parishes “like the Ridge as it is” – but not particularly aware of the changes that are occurring • Broadband access and mobile signals • Mobile apps like Uber needed – as a possible solution to transport issues. • Dog mess • Litter • Anti-social behaviour • Crime • What does the Sandstone Ridge Trust want to achieve? • Increased revenue versus lack of infrastructure • The challenge between aspiration of larger landowners and poor local infrastructure, impact on communities • Absentee landlords, not engaged with local community and downsizing, removing assets • Need to have a control over a partnership, manage the balance of demographics (keep the younger generation in the area) • Derelict properties – opportunities • Reduction in public services

Attendees highlighted the following local benefits:

• Brings tourism into the area • Rural businesses are attracted by the area and its beauty • People want to come because of scenery etc and to walk the Ridge • Open air – healthy – scenery – wildlife

5 • Easily accessible for the public • Outdoor classroom for history, geology and wildlife • The Ridge brings benefits to the economy, learning and developing new skills, increased markets

Topic 3. How might we work together to look after the Sandstone Ridge? Attendees identified the following ways in which we might work together:

• Parish councils are locally competitive, so encourage involvement through competition • Need a third party to bring parish councils together • Need school involvement • Involve clubs and societies • There are existing buildings along the Ridge that could be used as a centre for the Sandstone Ridge, for example in Broxton and Harthill • Parish Precepts could be raised to develop funds for the greater benefit of the Ridge, for example, for car parks • Engage parishes / university to do archaeological digs to investigate sites • Devolution amongst councils to join together for the better cause of the Ridge as a whole • Tapping in to the wind farm community benefit fund. Although the fund has to be specifically spent on projects in and around Frodsham/Helsby, it might be a way to provide matched funding for a wider scale project across the whole of the Ridge • Working with local businesses, eg, CF Fertilisers in Helsby • By protecting it, not making it too big or over commercialised • Strengthen boundaries and do not lose the tranquil and undisturbed element • Targeted visitors, using PC facilities to provide educational and social elements • Neighbourhood Plans – referencing the Sandstone Ridge Trust in plans • Use funding to work with town and parish councils on specific projects • Darnhall was the centre of old Cheshire, and an outstation for Jodrell Bank, potential to link with the old Forest

General discussion During the general discussion the following additional points were raised:

• The Sandstone Ridge lacks an overall identity • The Sandstone Ridge is not a visitor destination • There is a lack of outdoor retailing and attractions like coffee shops • Local councils are familiar with, and concerned for, their own area and not the Ridge as a whole • Tension might arise between attracting visitors to the Ridge and protecting its beauty • Parish Councils might be able to raise funds, for the Sandstone Ridge Trust to act as broker and distribute for the benefit of the Ridge as a whole

6 • Parish Councils have local knowledge and contacts and potential to work with businesses • Distinction needs to be made between the Sandstone Ridge and the Sandstone Trail • Both Council and Cheshire West and Council need to be supportive

What happens next?

Notes of the workshop (together with a copy of presentations and other relevant material) are being sent to all attendees, as well as to those Town and Parish Councils/Meetings unable to attend the evening.

Town and Parish Councils/Meetings and their communities are being encouraged to complete the online questionnaire, which closes on 30 September 2017.

Attendees are encouraged to report back to their Councils and to consider the Call to Action (Appendix 4).

The findings from this workshop, together with those from the Community Consultation, 121 interviews, and visitor survey will be combined with other evidence being collected about the state of the environment of the Ridge as well as the key policies that will shape and influence the landscape of the Ridge and how we use and enjoy it. This combination of evidence, opinion and policy drivers will then inform possible options for the long-term future management of the area, which will be reported back to local councils and other stakeholders for their views in early 2018.

Feedback about the workshop

Attendees were asked to provide feedback on the workshop, through a Feedback Form. Responses to the questions asked were as follows:

How valuable have you found this evening overall? (on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is ‘not at all valuable’ and 5 is ‘extremely valuable’?

2 recorded a response of ‘5’ 7 recorded a response of ‘4’

Have you discovered anything new about the Sandstone Ridge this evening?

9 responded ‘Yes’

How clear are you about the work of the Sandstone Ridge Trust and its aspirations for the Sandstone Ridge? (on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is ‘not at all clear’ and 5 is ‘extremely clear’?

1 recorded a response of ‘3’ 5 recorded a response of ‘4’

7 3 recorded a response of ‘5’ In response to “what could the Trust do to improve your understanding”, the following feedback was received:“giving a clearer/concise explanation of what the trust does and how it will achieve it”

How relevant do you think this project is to your parish council (on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is ‘not at all relevant’ and 5 is ‘extremely relevant’?

1 recorded a response of ‘2’ (because their parish was not on the Ridge and the Council has other priorities) 1 recorded a response of ‘3’ (because they were new in post and would need to ask fellow councillors) 3 recorded a response of ‘4’ 4 recorded a response of ‘5’

8 APPENDIX 1. Attendees

Contact Company

Rebecca Dakin Broxton and District Parish Council

Idina Hastings Bulkeley and Ridley Parish Council

Richard Salmon Clotton Hoofield Parish Council

Jeanette Hughes Helsby Parish Council

Terry O'Neill Helsby Parish Council

Penny Shearer Peckforton Parish Meeting

Pat Holmes Henderson Peckforton Parish Meeting

Delia Cox Tarporley Parish Council

Ian Munro Tilston Parish Council

Andrew Needham & Cotebrook Parish Council

Maggie Davenport Darnhall Parish Council*

Stuart Hulse Cheshire Association of Local Council

Jackie Weaver Cheshire Association of Local Council

Andrew Hull The Sandstone Ridge Trust

Peter Winn The Sandstone Ridge Trust

Graham Church The Sandstone Ridge Trust

Stewart Pain The Sandstone Ridge Trust

Sharon Angus-Crawshaw The Sandstone Ridge Trust

Ian Marshall The Sandstone Ridge Trust

NB. * Darnhall Parish Council is not within the Sandstone Ridge project area (National Character Area 62).

9 APPENDIX 2. Programme

18.00 Refreshments/networking

18.30 Welcome by Stuart Hulse, Chairman, Cheshire Association of Local Councils

18.35 Welcoming presentation by Andrew Hull, Chair, The Sandstone Ridge Trust Board of Trustees

18.55 Introduction to the discussion topics (Ian Marshall, Project Officer, HLF Transition Project)

19.00 QUIZ – So you think you know about the Sandstone Ridge?

19.15 Round table discussions on the following topics: Topic 1. How does your parish interact with the Sandstone Ridge?

Topic 2. What challenges does the Sandstone Ridge generate and what local benefits are there?

Topic 3. How might we work together to look after the Sandstone Ridge?

19.45 Feedback to the plenary (Facilitators)

20.15 Closing remarks and what happens next (Andrew Hull, Chair, The Sandstone Ridge Trust Board of Trustees)

20.30 Depart

10 APPENDIX 3. QUIZ - So you think you know about the Sandstone Ridge? (Correct answers in red)

Questions and multiple choice answers Score Q1. Where is the highest point on the Ridge? A.Beeston Castle B.Helsby Hill C.Raw Head

Q2. Can you name the 8 counties that can be viewed from Pale Heights at Delamere? (one point for each correct county) 1 Cheshire 2 Derbyshire 3 Lancashire 4 Yorkshire 5 Shropshire 6 Staffordshire 7 Denbighshire 8 Flintshire

Q3. How many people live on the Sandstone Ridge? A. 56,000 B. 36,000 C. 16,000

Q4. How many people visit the Sandstone Ridge each year? A. 100,000 B. 500,000 C. >1 million

Q5. Which WWI poet has an association with the Sandstone Ridge A.Wilfred Owen B.Siegfried Sassoon C.Rupert Brooke

Q6. Which well known British artist sketched Beeston Castle? A.David Hockney B.JMW Turner C.John Constable

Q7. How many litres of water each year do utility companies abstract from beneath the Sandstone Ridge? A.5,000,000,000 B.10,000,000,000 C.>15,000,000,000

Q8. What percentage of the Ridge is classified as tranquil and undisturbed? A.20% B.50% C.70%

Q9. How many businesses are located along the Ridge? A.<500 B. >1000 C. Between 500-1000

Q10. How many farmers and landowners look after the area? A.400 B.600 C.800

11 APPENDIX 4. Call to Action for the Town and Parish Councils of the Sandstone Ridge

The 39 Town and Parish Councils that lie wholly or partly along the Sandstone Ridge have a major role to play in working together with The Sandstone Ridge Trust and other organisations to shape the future of this special place and ensure that it continues to be valued and enjoyed by present and future generations.

Here are some suggestions actions you might like to consider, with a couple of rows left blank for you to come up with your own ideas. √ 1. Include news features about the work of the Trust, its publications, and its aspirations for the Ridge on your website 2. Add the Trust to the list of organisations featured on your website, and provide a link to its website www.sandstoneridge.org.uk 3. Invite the Trust to talk at your meetings, and display its work and publications in your community venues 4. Promote your own events and news on the Sandstone Ridge website, facebook and twitter sites 5. Brand yourself in all your various communications as “A Sandstone Ridge Parish” and use the Sandstone Ridge logo. 6. Put forward ideas to discuss with the Trust for environmental enhancement projects that meet local needs and could: § enhance the natural or historic environment of the Ridge § § improve understanding, access to, and enjoyment of the Ridge § § support the local rural economy § § provide training or educational opportunities. § 7. Commit as partners with the Trust in funding bids for environmental enhancement projects 8. Consider using your parish precept to help fund projects 9. Nominate a Point of Contact from within your council to liaise with the Sandstone Ridge Trust 10. Promote the protection and conservation of the natural beauty and special qualities of the Sandstone Ridge in your neighbourhood plan or other relevant policy documents 11. Other 12. Other

Contact details for The Sandstone Ridge Trust: Web: www.sandstoneridge.org.uk Email: [email protected] Address: Library, Chester Road, Tattenhall (visits made by prior appointment)

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