Three public footpaths at Seal Edge: from A Waterfall South-West of Fairbrook Naze, Eastward for 2.65km Toward Blackden Moor. Sk 09345 89132 - Sk

What was proposed

The application sought three footpath sections using about two kilometres of gritstone flags, pitched paths and clapper bridges.

“This application seeks full planning permission for the works to three sections of footpaths across the Kinder Plateau; Seal Edge, Crowden Tower to Kinder Gates, and Edale Head to Crowden Tower.”

“The development involves the laying of approximately 2km of gritstone flags, pitched footpaths, and clapper bridges.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is upland moorland on Kinder Plateau, with blanket bog, acid grassland and heathland in several protected designations and open-access land.

“The application site is three sections of the Kinder Plateau, an area of upland moorland in the north of the Peak District National Park. The site is comprised of upland blanket bog, acid grassland and upland heath.”

“The whole Plateau is open-access land, enabling unrestricted access across the site. Continued visitor pressure has caused erosion of the blanket bog habitat resulting in areas of degraded bare peatland across the Kinder Plateau.”

Officer report

Planning history

There was no relevant planning history for the site.

“There is no relevant planning history for the site.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, subject to a 30-year biodiversity agreement and conditions, because restoration and erosion control would outweigh identified harm.

“That the application be APPROVED subject to prior entry into a planning obligation under S.106 to secure the provision, management and monitoring of Biodiversity Net Gain for a 30 year period and subject to the following conditions:”

Officer report

The main environmental balance

The works would permanently lose some blanket bog but provide habitat enhancement, reduce erosion and deliver a reported 12.99% onsite biodiversity gain.

“(ii) The application advises that adverse impacts on biodiversity and geodiversity have been avoided. The proposed development will ensure no further erosion of bare peatland within the Site and will provide a form of protection which will conserve the bare peatland from further erosion or harm within the Site caused as a result of footpath from users of the PDNP.”

“(v) As the development would result in the loss of 0.4448ha of blanket bog (an irreplaceable habitat), compensation is required to mitigate against the losses. As part of the proposed works, the development would seek to restore and enhance 0.2272ha of blanket bog habitat through the translocation of vegetation and heather brash spreading, lime, seed (curse crop and moorland species) and fertiliser treatments.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke under the public participation scheme.

The committee vote

A motion to approve was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

“A motion to approve the application was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.”

Minutes