We need your help- A message from Emma
We Need Your Help – A Message from Emma
Thornbridge For Everyone - Forever
If you love Thornbridge like we do, please read this & write to me :
The background :
In Spring 2021, we were able to open our gardens to the public 7 days a week for the first time in our history. The response has been amazing and it is wonderful to see so many people enjoying the gardens. We have had families and friends from all around coming to visit and enjoyed hosting school children and adults from underprivileged areas through our Thornbridge 4 Everyone foundation which allows those who want to visit the beautiful Peak District to do so with fully funded days out.
In order to open to the public 7 days a week it was essential that we provided a new car park, driveway and a café. We did this as a matter of urgency in order to save the estate following the impact of Covid.
We were preparing to submit a planning application as agreed with the Peak Park Planning for the construction of the new parkland drive, car park, café and associated works together with the opening of a Parkland Walk providing access to the wider estate and landscape enhancements including succession tree planting. Some of these elements were proposed works and the application also sought to regularise the works that we have already carried out.
We are also proposing some revisions to the works done to date including replacing the post and rail fencing with estate railing to match and re-grading and landscaping the bunds alongside the access drive and car park which will create an even more biodiverse and eco-enhancing landscape.
Before we were able to submit the application that the Peak Park asked for, the Peak District National Park Authority served an enforcement notice requiring us to remove the parkland drive, new car park and café.
We have appealed against this notice. The Secretary of State have deemed that the we have a valid appeal - so we are now getting ready for the appeal process.
All the work we have done enables forever access to this historically important estate for the benefit of the local community and wider public. Thornbridge Hall transformed my life when I visited with my youth worker at age 15. I know it has done this for thousands of others too and I am determined that it continues to do so for generations to come.
All the money generated from the opening of the estate are recycled back into the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the estate and the structures within it. We have always done that. This will continue. Jim and I, over the last 20 years of ownership, have invested £20 million into the rescue and restoration of Thornbridge Hall. This is similar to a number of other country houses and estates, some of which are near neighbours, who have taken on the responsibility of safeguarding but also opening up the Nation’s Heritage Assets.
Our intention was to work through this in partnership with the National Park Authority, which we still hope to do, however we have no other option but to also present our case through an appeal to the Secretary of State.
How you can help :
We would like to obtain as much support for the appeal as possible and would like to demonstrate the significant public benefits that have arisen from the car park, parkland drive and café. We consider that the following are the key benefits :
The new access means Thornbridge Hall can now open to the public 7 days a week all year round!
We have pedestrian and cycle access from the Monsal Trail - with toilets free to use for all & a new cafe which is open 7 days a week
There is ample parking and coaches can access the estate for the first time ever. This means that schools can visit. We support the underprivileged schools visits through our charity Thornbridge 4 Everyone.
Local community groups, foster families, arts groups, the WI, young musicians and theatre groups and so many more can and do use our facilities for free. Just ask by the way…
The opening of the Parkland Walk will provide access to the wider parkland. This is significant in that the parkland has never been open to the public in the history of Thornbridge, bar the single right of way that runs through the park.
There are more - perhaps you can outline the what matters to you too - for example - heart lifting to see our older regulars now returning several times a week - company, friendship and a warm welcome - oh and the wonderful young families that we have never been able to open for, as pre-covid we only opened in the middle of the week, they are making Thornbridge their home and watching their young children explore the magic of Thornbridge is magic all over again.
I would be extremely grateful if you would write to us at Thornbridge to set out your support for the proposals and the public benefits from us being here and now being able to open opening 7 days a week all year around.
I really appreciate all your lovely verbal support - it really does lift my spirits in this worrying time - but right now I am told by the planning consultants that I need you to send me a letter - so we can include your thoughts in the formal appeal.
It would be great to gather them together before the 14th December - thank you so much. This is so important and I know I put on a brave face when you meet me because I don’t want to worry you. However, right now & more than ever before, Thornbridge needs your help - so thank you - I look forward to getting your letters.
Please write to me - either pop something in the post
Emma Harrison
Thornbridge Hall
Ashford in the Water
Derbyshire
DE45 1NZ
or attach your letter to an email
and send to
Emma@thornbridge.co.uk
Yours, Emma x
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