There is uncertainty about the use of the Parwich Memorial Hall by the Peak District National Park Authority for some up coming public events.
The Authority’s Conservation Officers, as Parwich residents have been notified, have booked the Memorial Hall for the public consultation meeting on Tuesday (the 6th May). The Authority’s Legal and Democratic Services also booked the Hall for a Planning Appeal on the 25th May (as requested by the appellants), but have since said that the venue is not suitable because of the limited facilities for disabled people.
They have expressed concern about lack of a T-loop (though they have their own portable loop system), about the step (this ‘step’ is a change in levels between the tarmac and the concrete plinth in front of the door; this difference in levels runs from 5cm at the lower end to 2cm at the upper end) and the lack of designated disabled toilets (the ladies’ toilet will just accommodate a standard wheelchair, but the user is likely to require assistance).
When it was pointed out that there seemed to be some inconsistency here, they said they would look into alternative venues for both events. The Authority approached Parwich Primary School requesting to use the School, despite no T-loop or designated disabled toilets. The School indicated that their facilities would be less suitable for disabled adults than the Hall’s. At present neither booking at the Hall has been cancelled, so we assume Tuesday’s event is going ahead as advertised.
We also hope that the Planning Appeal will also go ahead in the village, as the limits on disabled access to the Hall seem far outweighed by the limited accessibility for all of a hearing at Aldern House that is to take place on a day when the ‘once a fortnight bus’ to Bakewell does not run. Indeed any disabled person is likely to encounter more steps and ramps and be out of reach of a disabled toilet for longer when travelling to Aldern House, which has ‘fully accessible facilities’ once you are in their car park, than attending a hearing in our own village hall, which does not.
PARWICH.ORG 
oh dear … thank goodness you’ve got the determination to deal with these people — thank you
I guess this is just another demonstration of the Park Planning Authority’s autocratic determination to make sure things go ‘their way’. Well spotted pheadair but will they take any notice of your rousting of their dual standards? I suspect not – they will turn their usual deaf ear and blind eye to anything that contradicts them. I trust the appellants will make them aware of your comments.
Well the first meeting went ahead in the Memorial Hall, will the Peak Park be true to form and decide on the inconsistency option of not holding the Planning Appeal here?
Having been on the wrong end of this type of issue (which on the face of it does appear inconsistent), I suspect the Peak Park, like many others, are getting lost in the myre of regulations and beaurocracy constantly streaming out of Whitehall.
To be fair to them, no planning authority can please all the people all of the time. When decisions are constantly questioned and challenged, as planning issues are apt to be, it is easy to see why such inconsistency’s may occur.
Taking Graham’s points into account it is important to say that last night’s consultation meeting was a very useful event (Well done to Sue Adam and the Cultural Heritage Team for organising it and trying to answer all our questions). The Conservation Area Appraisals are relatively new in the Peak Park, and the officers, as well as, ourselves are learning.
Also the Authority in organising Planning Hearings have also to take into account national Planning Inspectorate directives. However we also hope the Authority will push to have the May appeal hearing in Parwich.
looks like a trip to bakewell for those interested.
This is in telegraph today ” An appeal against the Peak Park Authoritys refusal to allow the retention of a garden room at Church cotttage Parwich, and for enforcement appeal for non compliance with condition of previous consent is to be held at Aldern House, Bakewell.
actually it said informal hearing and its tobe held on 28th of May.
We understand the appeal hearing is now to be held at Fenny Bentley School, at the appellants’ request. This would seem to be a very positive compromise.