Exploring the future of Matlock Moors
Farley Moor proposals
Following our public exhibitions in April, we have taken on board the feedback received and have reviewed our proposals. We have now moved to the next stage of the planning process and a planning application has been submitted to Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC).
The full planning application is now available to view on the DDDC planning portal and responses can be formally recorded.
We are aware of some recent incorrect information being shared on these proposals. We understand the forest means different things to everyone and it’s understandable that new proposals can cause people to worry, but we would encourage everyone to read the details of the application so they can make an informed opinion.
The forest is used by many local people for different reasons and therefore we felt it would be helpful to clarify some of the incorrect information which has been shared.
The proposal includes a small public car park housing 16 spaces. Those using the Forest Holidays site will have allocated parking next to their cabins.
The forest will remain open to all. Local people will have the same freedom to walk around the entire forest as they do now, and the proposals look to improve access with new all-weather trails. These will be made using permeable materials which is the same as existing Forestry England tracks and pathways in the nation’s forests. The land is part of the nation’s forests and is managed by Forestry England for the benefit of all, this will continue to be the case.
The proposals will deliver a ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’ and the woodland and habitat in a third of the forest will be managed by our long-term partner and B Corp certified organisation, Forest Holidays in accordance with Habitat Enhancement and Woodland Enhancement Management Plans. The extensive surveys and in-depth ecological assessments are explained in detail in the submitted application package.
The discreet cabins and facilities will occupy less than 1% of the total woodland.
“As the country’s largest land manager we evolve to expand the work we do and the benefits the nation’s forests give to people, nature, and the economy, and everyone should feel welcomed into these shared public spaces.
The vital work we do costs millions of pounds every year and although a small percentage comes from government, the majority is self-generated with the support of members, visitors, timber sales and partners such as Forest Holidays. These funds allow Forestry England to continue our work to support nature, help wildlife, and open up more green spaces for the benefit of all. Our proposals for this small part of Farley Moor Forest will help us do that.”
Paddy Harrop, Forestry England Forest Management Director, Central Forest District
The proposals have been designed to provide:
- Opportunities for people to stay overnight in a quiet forest setting, whilst improving access for all and ensuring the same freedom to walk around the entire forest as now.
- Long term habitat enhancement plans for the forest and its wildlife.
- Sustainable tourism which benefits the forest and the local economy - creating 57 new full time equivalent jobs (FTE), plus 120 FTE jobs during the creation of the cabins.
- A boost of £1.7 million per year to the local economy through visitor spend in the Derbyshire Dales District
- An economic boost of £2.3 million in the first year of operation through visitor spend within Derbyshire Dales and the wider area, equating to 29 FTE jobs.
Forests care for us. Together we care for forests.
For over 100 years, we have been growing, shaping and caring for over 1,500 of our nation’s forests for the benefit and enjoyment of all, for this generation and the next.
Archive information
A series of public exhibitions were held locally on 24th and 25th April 2024 to share details of our proposals at Farley Moor (see section below for background).
We welcomed members of the public who live locally, neighbours, councillors, local businesses, other accommodation providers, environmental and wildlife organisations.
We understand that the forest means different things to everyone and it was great to hear everyone’s individual interests – this matters to us.
The sessions were well attended with lots of questions and thoughts shared.
View exhibition materials and further information
If you didn’t have the chance to visit the exhibitions or would like to read the details again, the exhibition boards are available as pdfs here:
850x850 board – Outline of proposals
850x400 board – Working Together
Please note these were produced for the public exhibitions as an overview of the proposals. The information does not reflect any updates or amendments which may be made. For full information, please view the submitted application package which is available to view on the DDDC planning portal.
Examples of Forest Holidays locations were shown at the exhibitions for anyone unfamiliar with their nature breaks, view the video.
See the exhibition materials about how Forest Holidays create their locations with nature in mind on this pdf: Constructing a new Forest Holidays location.
For background on the Forest Holidays journey and the work they do in the nations forests view this video.
Background
Forestry England manages the nation’s forests to be sustainable and resilient providing benefits for people, wildlife and the economy: nationally and locally. We constantly review the forests to see how those benefits could improve.
The Matlock Moor collection of woodlands are popular with local dog walkers and horse riders and have many great walking paths through the area. However overall, annual visitors to Farley Moor forest are low as there are currently no formal recreation routes or facilities. This provides an opportunity for improvements and greater accessibility from Matlock.
Matlock and nearby Matlock Bath are very well-established tourist destinations and are the South Eastern gateway to the Peak District National Park and nearby Bakewell and Chatsworth House.
In further developing our people, nature and economy offer, the potential for overnight accommodation within Farley Moor has been assessed and approved internally in accordance with Forestry England policy guidance.
A full suite of surveys and studies including in-depth ecological assessments and other surveys were carried out to confirm that the forest is suitable.
We are working with Forest Holidays, a B Corp certified business, who are one of our long-term trusted partners, to explore options for up to 75 nature sensitive cabins.
In the last 50 years, we have created 8 sensitively-placed cabin locations in forests we care for which help to broaden experiences and extend the public benefits delivered by forests. Forest Holidays locations, which are tucked away in forests, National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty throughout Great Britain, give people the opportunity to discover, explore and reconnect with the beauty of our natural world, whilst importantly contributing a sustainable income to help support forests for years to come.
What stage is it at?
The concept for overnight accommodation which is designed to fit thoughtfully within the woodland, was agreed by Forestry England's Board, and Forest Holidays has been granted an 'option to lease' from the Government's Forestry Minister, which has enabled full proposals to be explored and developed.
The early concept outlined above was published on Forestry England's website in September 2023.
We have engaged with Derbyshire Dales Council and our proposals are publicly available.
Enquiries
Enquiries can be directed to: FuturePlans.MatlockMoor@forestryengland.uk.