Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities had introduced proposals to protect Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for Future Generations to the Select Committee on 12 November and whilst accepting the need for mitigating action to protect the SAC, the select committee, mindful of  the frustration of some user groups, had asked the Cabinet Member to look again at the consultation and reconsider whether it had been sufficiently robust and inclusive. 

The proposals to protect Cannock Chase SAC from the impacts of increasing recreational pressure associated with housing growth included a car parking plan and a site user plan with improved infrastructure and capacity overall but seeking to reduce recreational pressure in the most sensitive areas whilst increasing capacity in more robust areas.

The Cabinet Member had undertaken her review and met with user groups and concluded that a significant and robust evidence base supported the proposals and provided a strong rationale for the suggested measures. Furthermore, she believed the consultation undertaken by SAC had been robust and inclusive and had helped shape the resulting proposals.

The County Council, in its consideration of the proposals on their land, had made some additional recommendations which further addressed and mitigated concern regarding carparking and with the SAC undertook to facilitate further public engagement as phases of implementation are brought forward.

Members noted that many of the 3m visitors to Cannock Chase came from outside of the county and a small parking charge would be a contribution to Staffordshire’s economy.  A member commented that there seemed to be more concern about car parking location and charges and less about preserving the ecology of the site. The Cabinet Member confirmed that in the new proposals there would still be 500 free car parking spaces.

A Member asked for assurance that the Cabinet Member had spoken to many groups personally since the November meeting. They remained concerned that the consultation process had not been inclusive, that some had found it to be confusing and misleading which could account for the poor participation rate.  Furthermore, they were concerned about vulnerable use groups – those with sensory impairment for example – who were worried about the proposed car parking arrangements.  The Cabinet Member assured members that she had had conversations with and listened to many interested parties and individuals via various media and was confident that there was support for her proposals.  She reminded members that the SAC had conducted the consultation, not the County Council and that she was keen to engage further with people wot disabilities over specific provision for them.

Another Member shared concern about the original consultation and urged the Cabinet Member to harness the energy of some user groups and involve them in implementing the proposals and that she should encourage and involve voluntary groups of interested people in the process.

Members accepted it was a difficult balance to protect the SAC whilst maintaining access to the country park for people to enjoy and that ensuring consultation reached the right people was difficult.  The Cabinet Member reminded members that this was a 10-15 year plan with opportunities for public engagement along the way.

RESOLVED - That the Select Committee note the further consultation which had taken place into proposals to protect Cannock Chase SAC from the impacts of increasing recreational pressure and mindful of continuing concern of some user groups and support for the proposals from others, agree that a significant and robust evidence base supported the proposals and that their views should be fed back to Cabinet