Issues affecting the Churnet Valley

What are the issues in the Churnet Valley?

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) has produced a Local Development Framework which includes Policy SS6c which states that tourist opportunities should be enhanced by:

“Identifying the Churnet Valley between Leek and Alton as a major sustainable tourist corridor...” 

This means that non local businesses are investing heavily in the area to the detriment of local residents and the conservation of the Churnet Valley countryside.  The irony is that most of the developments hinge on the beauty of the valley, but these very developments threaten that beauty and tranquility.

Churnet Valley Masterplan

Alton Towers expansion

Moorland City Railways (MCR)

Moneystone Park - Moneystone Quarry - Laver Leisure

Boltons - Froghall

The Ramshorn Estate

These developments are owned by businesses not located within the Churnet Valley so, apart from the creation of a few manual and clerical jobs, the local economy will not reap the commercial benefits.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Masterplan

The Churnet Valley is currently the subject of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s (SMDC) Masterplan to create a ‘tourism corridor’. SMDC has identied several “opportunity sites” within the valley that will forever alter the nature of this beautiful area. There are two current proposals which will affect the valley: the intention to build a railway along the walk route through Oakamoor to Alton, to transport Alton Towers’ visitors, and the proposal to build an all-weather Holiday Park with large scale accommodation at Moneystone Quarry.  SMDC’s Masterplan for the valley will soon be published, and once agreed it will be the framework for all development affecting the full length of the valley. What do you think? Churnet Valley Master Plan Leaflet http://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/downloads/Churnet_Valley_Masterplan_Leaflet.pdf Churnet Valley Master Plan Main Page http://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=330&pageNumber=10