Access to Cannock Chase on the agenda for two councils

Proposals put forward for the future management of the beauty spot include the closure of 35 smaller car parking areas, as well as the introduction of charges at 11 other sites.

But campaigners fear the changes could restrict access to the Chase for some residents and visitors, such as those with limited mobility or low income.

Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a partnership involving Staffordshire councils, statutory bodies, landowners and wildlife groups, held a public consultation in 2019 on the proposals, which aim to protect the landscape and wildlife while preparing for an expected rise in visitors over the coming years.

The consultation has been branded “unrepresentative” by campaign group Save Cannock Chase however.

Cannock Chase and Stafford Borough councillors have put forward the issue for discussion at authority meetings in the coming days.

Stafford Borough councillor Anne Hobbs, who has submitted a member’s item to Tuesday’s community wellbeing scrutiny committee, said: “During this time of coronavirus where physical and mental health needs to be resilient, is it the best time to be limiting accessibility to Cannock Chase?

“Cannock Chase belongs to the people, we need free access to it for our physical and mental health. If you’re on a low income, or indeed, have lost your employment, you could park for free and walk and play with your children for hours in this designated area of outstanding natural beauty.

“Charges for parking and areas being cut off for vehicles, which is being introduced extensively, affects the poorest and most disadvantaged in our society. It is an amazing place for adults and children to visit as they have done for generations.

“It has been abused in some areas during the lockdown period, and some restrictions are required, but the parking restrictions that are being imposed are undoubtedly going to have an adverse affect on people’s physical and mental health, especially during this time of coronavirus. It will certainly impact the elderly and disabled who like to park and enjoy it from their cars.

“In my opinion the parking restrictions that are being implemented are like cracking a nut with a sledgehammer. Cannock Chase does need to be managed and looked after, of course, maybe by volunteers, as is done in other areas, but it shouldn’t be inaccessible to the people of Staffordshire, It’s far too important a resource for that.”

At a full meeting on Wednesday Cannock Chase Council’s environment and climate change portfolio leader Josh Newbury will call for an impact assessment to be undertaken to consider the potential effects on visitors of car park closures.

His motion also asks for “no further closures or fencing of car parking areas be put in place until this impact assessment has been completed and further consultation on more detailed proposals is held”.

But the SAC Partnership has said plans are needed to protect the area for future generations.

It added: “The work of the Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation Partnership is dedicated to how we can preserve and improve Cannock Chase for both people and wildlife and to ensure this national important landscape will remain for everyone forever.

“Our comprehensive plans set out how the partnership would like to improve the footpaths, dog bins, signage, environmental education, car parks and visitor centres across the Chase so that this visitor growth will be sustainable and new people coming to enjoy outdoor recreation on Cannock Chase won’t end up accidentally hurting the animals, plants and archaeology which makes the area a local treasure.

“These plans went out to public consultation last year. Over 8,000 individuals visited the consultation website to read the plans and 130 individuals gave us feedback on how to improve the partnership’s ideas.

“There are 120 car parks on Cannock Chase, with most of them only having space for two or three cars and suffering from lack of maintenance and anti-social behaviour. The partnership would like to increase the amount of parking available by around more than 500 spaces compared to today. These will mostly be at our existing large car parks and the visitor centres.

“None of the landowners have to do the changes described in the Partnership’s plans if they choose not to, they’re not legally binding. The plans are only the suggestions, which the Partnership believes is the best way forward.

“If a landowner decides that they would like to deliver some (or all) of the visitor improvement in the plans the Partnership is able to pay the costs to make them happen. The money to improve Cannock Chase comes entirely from developer contributions the Partnership have collected.

“Once we’ve finished delivering the planned improvements – which we think will take about 10 years – we would want to close some of the existing small car parks and lay-bys across the Chase to prevent the most sensitive parts of the Chase suffering further damage.

“The main landowners on Cannock Chase already charge to park at their big car parks, currently 45 per cent of all parking is pay-to-park. The partnership thinks it’s a good idea to expand the number of car parks where you would pay to park by 10 per cent, with all money raised going back into Cannock Chase to keep it open and the visitor centres in top condition. The Partnership plans for these new pay-to-park locations to occur in about 10 to 15 years’ time.”

Environmental group For the Love of Cannock Chase has supported measures to protect the area’s wildlife habitats.

A spokeswoman said: “The proposal states there will still be 51 free car parking locations.

“While there are plans to funnel some visitors into areas such as Marquis Drive, the intention is to give people the kind of experience they want. Some visitors who are unfamiliar with the area want good amenities such as a visitor centre, cafe, education and marked walks.

“Marquis Drive ticks all the boxes for this. People who are interested in birdwatching, wildlife, horse riding or biking can enjoy areas best for them while adhering to the rules of the reserve.

“As population rises, so does the pressure on the Chase. It is not rational to think that the Chase – which is already under too much pressure – can continue to accommodate an infinite amount of people, without damaging the habitat and causing further decline in biodiversity.”