Whaley Bridge Amenity Society

Registered Charity No. 500862

Events in 2018

National Planning Policy Framework - Consultation Response

The Society responded to the consultation on a new planning system for the UK. 

Civic Voice

Following the demise of The Civic Trust in 2009, we joined the new civic society movement Civic Voice in 2010, as a founder member.

Mersey Basin Campaign

We actively supported the Mersey Basin Campaign (‘legacy’ website) during the 25 year campaign (1985–2010). At the start, the Mersey and its tributaries were commonly regarded by many as the most polluted river estuary in Europe. It is now cleaner than at any time since the Industrial Revolution; its restoration is one of the UK’s biggest environmental success stories. It was internationally recognised as having pioneered effective partnership working, and in 1999 became the inaugural winner of the International Thiess Riverprize for best river system clean up.

One of our members served as Chairman of the Mersey Basin Trust — the arm of the Campaign established as a charitable trust to support voluntary groups undertaking environmental actions at local level. During Mersey Basin Weekends in October, we arranged walks, talks and litter picks. Two of our members were awarded the coveted Kingfisher Award in recognition of their contributions to the making of a weir in the River Goyt.

For many years, another of our members was Chairman of Action Etherow Goyt, one of 20 Action Partnerships, working closely with volunteers, schools, businesses, local authorities, regulators and politicians on a wide range of improvement projects. It acted as a catalyst to bring local improvements. These have included picnic tables, bat and bird boxes, repairs at the Horse Tunnel (a Grade 2 Listed Building), the resurfacing of the Peak Forest Canal Towpath (to Derbyshire County Council ‘Greenway’ standard), and two interpretation boards.

Public Rights of Way (PROW)

We campaign to develop, and protect the integrity of, the local Public Rights of Way (PROW) network, and have helped secure a number of new paths.

Information relating to Greenways and Rights of Way may be found at Derbyshire County Council’s website.

Litter Picks

We have carried out dozens of litter picks over more than 40 years.

Planning

We comment as appropriate on planning applications and have contributed to planning strategy consultation documents, such as those concerning the Whaley Bridge Conservation Area (and the Whaley Bridge Conservation Area Character Assessments) and the successor High Peak Local Plan adopted in April 2016.

More Details:

Here are links to our Constitution, and Chairman’s Reports for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, Vice-Chair’s Report for 2017

Membership:

We welcome new members (annual subscription £8, unwaged £4). Please contact one of our Officers:

Other Local Websites

Whaley Bridge Community Site (supported by the town council)