Matlock Moor Future Plans

Forestry England manages the nation’s forests to be sustainable and resilient providing benefits for people, wildlife and the economy: nationally and locally. We constantly review the forests to see how those benefits could improve.

Matlock Moor is popular with local dog walkers and horse riders and has many great walking paths through the area however overall, annual visitors to the forest are low as there are currently no formal recreation routes or facilities. This provides an opportunity for improvements and greater accessibility from Matlock.

Matlock and nearby Matlock Bath are very well-established tourist destinations and are the South Eastern gateway to the Peak District National Park and nearby Bakewell and Chatsworth House.

In further developing our people, nature and economy offer, the potential for overnight accommodation within the forest has been assessed and approved internally in accordance with Forestry England policy guidance.

We are working with Forest Holidays, a B Corp certified business, who are one of our long-term trusted partners, to explore options for up to 75 nature sensitive cabins. In the last 50 years, we have created 8 sensitively-placed cabin locations in forests we care for which help to broaden experiences and extend the public benefits delivered by forests.

Holidaying in the forest offers a more immersive experience, providing greater physical, mental, and emotional benefits compared to a short visit. It provides an escape from fast-paced daily life and an opportunity to connect with nature on a deeper level.

What stage is it at?

The concept has been agreed by Forestry England's Board and earlier this summer, the Government's Forestry Minister granted an 'option to lease' for Forest Holidays at Matlock Moor. This is a formal step indicating approval for full proposals to be explored and developed.

We expect to make a pre-application submission to the Derbyshire Dales Council in September/early Autumn 2023. We are currently finalising necessary reports to inform the submission package. On receipt of the pre-application, the Council’s officers will consider the detail and provide their informal advice.

Once we receive the pre-application feedback, we will finalise our proposals as necessary and then we will make these available publicly. We will do this in a variety of ways to ensure those wishing to access the information can do so. This will be in advance of any full planning application so there will be plenty of time to look at the details, ahead of a formal planning submission.

When will I be consulted?

All development plans would be subject to planning consents and formal public consultation as part of the planning process. You will have the chance to give your thoughts and opinions at this stage when relevant information is made available.

This is part of a new and exciting journey for Matlock Moor so updates and information on this project including opportunities for future public engagement and planning consultation will be available here.

For more information about our partnership with Forest Holidays please visit: 

www.forestryengland.uk/article/partnerships-forest-holidays

Enquiries can be directed to: FuturePlans.MatlockMoor@forestryengland.uk