High Peak Access had objected to these plans on accessibility grounds. High Peak Borough Council considered the application and refused planning permission on a number of grounds, including accessibility. The developer appealed against the decision and the case was heard by an Inspector in November 2022.

High Peak Access was invited to speak at the appeal hearing in support of concerns over disability access and we presented our arguments at the hearing on the 8th  November.

The decision of the Inspector was to dismiss the appeal, supporting the decision to refuse planning approval on two grounds, one of which was concerns over the developer’s ability to meet disabled access standards in accordance with the High Peak Local Plan.

The relevant Section of the Planning Inspectors Report is shown below:

Parts c) and e) of Policy H3 of the High Peak Borough Council Local Plan 2016, require all new residential development to contribute positively to the promotion of an inclusive community and to be delivered to meet accessibility standards set out in the Optional Requirement M4(2) of Part M of the Building Regulations. This requirement is further endorsed by the evidence in the Housing and Economic Local Needs Assessment (HELNA) which recommends that c.50% of new housing should meet these accessibility standards. 

At the hearing the appellant claimed that all the proposed new dwellings would be capable of adaptation to meet accessibility standards. However, no detailed evidence has been put forward to demonstrate how the dimensions, capacity or shape of internal spaces for each individual dwelling could be adapted to achieve this. The appellant also conceded that the topography of the site would be likely to prohibit the provision of level access to some of the properties. In particular, I was advised that the dwellings on proposed plots 5 and 6 would be likely to include stepped access due to the drop in levels on the site. The appellant considered it possible that Plots 11 – 19 would be able to incorporate level access, however, no detailed analysis has been undertaken to determine the overall proportion of properties which would be affected. 

The appellant suggested that these matters could be addressed through conditions requiring details of the adaptable internal spaces and a levels drawing showing where level access could be provided. However, in the absence of this information, I cannot be certain that the proposal would adequately address the requirements at parts c) and e) of Policy H3. 42. Overall, the absence of one-bedroomed units taken together with the accessibility issues identified means that the proposal would not provide an appropriate housing mix. In that regard, it would conflict with the housing mix and accessibility requirements of Policies SS1, S5, H3 and H4 of the Adopted High Peak Local Plan 2016 and the Framework. 

 >> Redcourt, Pikes Lane, Glossop - Statement to the Planning Inquiry HPK/2020/0334 - 7 Nov 2022

Site Description

The Audit began at Bugsworth Basin near the village of Buxworth, in High Peak. There is an unmade track from the road to the start of the walk, with some limited parking available alongside the canal. There are no designated accessible parking spaces in the area immediately alongside the walk although two could be provided. Bugsworth Basin Heritage Trust have provided an exhibition in a couple of containers that explains the history and development of the Canal Basin. The terrain around the start of the trail is generally loose gravel and compacted earth. The trail continues along the canal towpath.

Full Report:

Bugsworth Canal Basin, Buxworth and Whaley Bridge Canal Basin

View the Video on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI5zeG5zAzQ

We carried out an access audit in June 2020 and made a number of suggestions to assist in the development of the garden. The full report is available in our ‘projects’ section. This garden will be a real asset for the local community when it is completed.

A member of the Access Group had visited the newly built store in Whaley Bridge with a wheelchair user. They found that it was impossible for wheelchair users to go on a safe pedestrian route from the bus stop which is located adjacent to Tesco, to the B&M store, because of the lack of dropped kerbs, and pathways which are too steep.

There is not a problem if you are able to enter the site using a car. The only footpath created was too steep for wheelchair use and had a raised kerb at either end. After inspecting and taking photos on site, we raised the issue with High Peak Borough Council, who then took enforcement action to make B&M comply with the original drawings which made provision for a pavement with a dropped kerb along the road frontage to the site. 

After consultation with the store owners over the access, they provided a new ramped access onto the site with dropped kerbs and tactile paving at the roadside.

Below - Original steep path with kerbs at both ends

New accessible path:

Funded by the Bingham Trust, Red Nose Community Fund and NDVA, the events were in Buxton, New Mills and last one in Glossop (pictured).

People could share first hand accounts of local access issues in each area and learn of those HPAG are involved in. Common problems included cars parking on pavements, access blocked by wheelie bins and narrow pavements in villages and towns.

We also showcased our new web-based interactive app, "Organising Accessible Events”, which helps groups decide on suitable venues for meetings and events. This is available for use via our website.

We were also able to highlight the role we have in influencing strategic planning policy, like the Local Plan produced by HPBC with its implications for the delivery of accessible housing in High Peak.

The morning’s activities were concluded by a meal provided in the ‘fine dining’ suite by the students. The event was also attended by Event management students, to give them some insight into the need to organise accessible events.

The Bingham Trust sponsored the event and the University helped with organising and publicity as well. High Peak Access group will hold another two events over the next six months with a similar focus in New Mills and Glossop but highlighting access issues specific to those areas.

The web based App can be found at oae.highpeakaccess.org.uk

We highlighted the current difficulties that pedestrians are having gaining access to the relatively new retail development at Howard Town Mill on Victoria Street in Glossop. We have had many meetings with High Peak Borough Council and the developers.

There are a number of examples of poor design for pedestrians and wheelchair users that need addressing. We found many people who had experienced difficulties moving around the site and we had many signatures on a petition that we will present to the council and developers requesting that these access issues are addressed.

The Carnival was very well attended on the same weekend as the Tour de France sped through Yorkshire and touched Derbyshire along the Woodhead Pass.

We met someone who had an access issue related to the Register Office in Glossop and we have visited the office and raised the need for a ramped access and hearing loop with the Registrar. Derbyshire County Council, who are responsible for the Register Office are currently investigating these issues.

If you want to know more about our Howard Town Mill campaign or have any other access issues please contact us through this website. Make sure you leave your contact details or we will not be able to reply directly to you.

The document provides an overview of what constitutes data, the types of data available and advice is given on how the different data types should be evaluated. Links to websites run by key data providers, including the Office for National Statistics, are also provided.

There are three main chapters to the document:

Chapter 1 describes what data is and how data can be used (for example, to understand a problem) to help answer questions about what is happening and why. This chapter also explains different types of data and where they come from.

Chapter 2 shows what data is available across eight key themes (disability, education, employment, income, health and wellbeing, transport, housing and other disability data), where it can be found and gives examples of use.

Chapter 3 shows how data can be used and what information it can reveal. This section also explains some of the problems that can happen when using data incorrectly, and some of the ‘rules’ that need to be obeyed.

Download at odi.dwp.gov.uk/fulfilling-potential/toolkit.php

Alan Jackson (Vice Chair of High Peak Access), Master of Ceremonies, welcomed people to the Event and afterwards introduced the first Speaker, Alison Salmen (Secretary of High Peak Access). 

Alison provided a Power Point Presentation – an overview of ‘Why the need for a new Access Group’, the four High Peak Access Groups, of Hope, New Mills, Glossop and Buxton have now merged into one single group - High Peak Access.

Alison stressed in particular, that although we have the DDA, (Disability Discrimination Act) which is now part of the Equality Act, 2010, it is still being breached by both private and public organizations.

Alison’s slides clearly demonstrated obstructions and obstacles that disabled people face in their daily lives, for example, ‘A’ Boards being positioned inappropriately on dropped kerbs or pavements, thus, impeding movement and access by Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter Users – a continual problem for disabled people in the High Peak. 

Another illustration showed poor design i.e. colour contrast, for instance, glass doors that have poor colour contrasting warning circles i.e. grey circles on glass create difficulties for visually impaired people, as the colours merge together into an indefinable mass – logically, the warning strips/circles should be coloured to stand out from the background and not merge with it.

Alison also spoke about how the group is led by disabled people, although, not all of the members are disabled, the group’s aims and objectives, and the group’s achievements, of which there are many.

Elaine Hill (Manager of Peaks & Dales Volunteering and Advancement Project and Volunteer at High Peak Access) gave a presentation of the website, following Alison’s talk.  Elaine demonstrated the clarity of the access tools at the top of the webpage, and the navigation buttons on the left-hand side of the page, these buttons are pictorial, thus, creating easy navigation for ALL People.

Elaine pointed out, that equality of access is not only to the built environment, but also to information and communication services.

Lunch followed Elaine’s presentation – it provided the opportunity to foster good relations between High Peak Access and Public and Private Organisations. 

After lunch, Alan Jackson introduced Chris Hughes (Direct Payments at Disability Derbyshire Coalition for Inclusive Living): 
His talk was on "The Conception of Access Groups”.  Chris’ PowerPoint Presentation was particularly interesting as it was a vocal history, depicting the strong campaign of Disabled People fighting for their rights to participation in society – culminating in the DDA and the Equality Act.  The conception of the first High Peak Access Group was formed in 1986 and supported by two link workers from DCIL. One member of the audience stated: "I am proud to be involved in any way I can with this kind of "People Power", Chris received a stirring ovation; and it was obvious that he was pleased with the achievements of High Peak Access – they must continue to strive and campaign for a truly accessible environment.

Questions and Answers followed the three Presentations, allowing members of the audience to ask for information and advice on a raft of disability/access issues. High Peak Access received rousing applause for their accessible website, and their clear and informative approach to the Presentations.

If you are a disabled person, and you wish to do something challenging, and to discover skills that you think you cannot do – come and join us.

The tramper scheme is set to expand with the purchase of 5 more trampers by the end of February 2012. These will add Creswell Crags, Cromford Mills and High Peak Junction to the list of sites.

The scheme costs £15 per year, which gives unlimited use at any of the  sites. There is also an opportunity for a new user to assess if the scheme is for them, with one hour of free usage.

There is currently work on a twinning project with a similar scheme in Devon and Cornwall. This will allow registered user's from Derbyshire to use the Devon and Cornwall scheme and vice versa.

>> For more information

One of the key aims of this new initiative is to make it easier for people with learning disabilities to call the police.

To apply for a Police Care Card for someone with learning disabilities download the application form. Once completed and returned, the information on the form is entered into the police call handling database and a police care card is issued with a unique reference number, together with a new police telephone number connected to a dedicated line for safe card holders.