MATLOCK CIVIC ASSOCIATION Secretary : Ken Parker, 5 Wishingstone Way, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 5LU. Tel 01629 584323

Paul Wilson, Corporate DirectorDerbyshire Dales District CouncilTown HallMatlock DE4 3NN 6 June 2016

Dear Paul

Trees and Scrub obscuring Iconic Views. Action Proposals

I refer to our recent discussion. As agreed I am addressing this letter to you and you agreed to organise a response from the relevant DDDC staff.

The Association has been working with the Town Council on a policy for tree management. This includes the identification of a number of viewpoints which are now obscured by tree and scrub growth. Characteristic features of the town are now lost to view and the problem is only going to get worse. In the attached case studies we have selected eight locations where tree removal would be particularly desirable and where the trees in question are probably on DDDC property or adjacent to it.

Old postcards show that it was the views across the town which were a fundamental part of its appeal to visitors. So this is not just an aesthetic issue, action would improve the town's appeal and benefit the economy. In some cases I have been able to find old postcards of the views referred to and these are included in the relevant case studies.

The DDDC Draft Local Plan emphasises the importance of conserving the distinctive features of the area. There is an opportunity here to translate policy into action.

On the attached pages please find details of the selected locations with suggestions for remedial action. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss these ideas and how they might be acted on - perhaps by seeking grant aid or by partnership with other organisations. We envisage a campaign of action involving not just DDDC but also other organisations (eg The Environment Agency), support from the Town Council and involvement of private landowners. DDDC action might be a good starting point (as a demonstration) or could be an integral part of this wider campaign. We also need to consider how such a programme could link into the existing DerwentWISE initiative. So we envisage a discussion with you not just on the specifics of the individual sites but also on the idea of such a broader campaign of action and how it might be organised.

I look forward to a response - perhaps a meeting involving relevant DDDC staff and a few MCA members (including David Barker who has prepared these proposals) is the next step?

Ken ParkerSecretary to the Association MCA1032

Copy sent to Matlock Town Council and Matlock Bath Parish Council

1. The Wishingstone.

This large rock outcrop adjacent to the public footpath from Asker Lane to Wishingstone Way has been known to generations of Matlock people and a popular Sunday walk for many. From it, fine views of the Lumsdale Valley, Tansley, Riber and much of Matlock could be seen. Alas this is no longer so. Also the meadow land down towards Hurst Farm has been lost to scrub growth.

The area was in Victorian and Edwardian times a rubbish tip and has been excavated many times by bottle hunters. Through a scheme some years ago the area has been cleared of bottles. A Shelter on site took advantage of these views - although following vandalism it was demolished some years ago. However there are still seats alongside the footpath which were provided to take advantage of the views - but the views no longer exist.

Action proposed is to open up the Wishingstone itself by clearing the brambles and scrub growth around it. We also propose the clearance of corridors to open up a series of views from the top of the Wishingstone and from the seats across Lumsdale towards Tansley. After the work is done routine maintenance needs to be built into the Site Management Schedule.

The Wishingstone is steadily being encroached by brambles and bushes and the view across Lumsdale to Tansley is lost (the view can just be glimpsed through the branches in winter)

The Wishingstone in 1911. This view is completely lost to trees and brambles

Seats were placed to overlook the valley. No view now.

2. View from the Park at the end of Cavendish Road

From the railings at the bottom of the park there once was an 'aerial' view of Matlock Bank and the whole of the town. A panoramic view could be had of most of the valley - Masson, Oaker Hill, Starkholmes, High Tor and Riber. Because of tree growth in the old quarry below all this is lost despite some tree lopping after years ago. From Cavendish Road above the Park the view is almost lost now.

The views from the Cavendish Road Park across to Masson Hill (centre), High Tor and Black Rock (left). These landmarks can still be seen through the trees in winter (above). In summer, with trees in leaf, there is very little view even from Cavendish Road (below).

Action proposed is to thin out and selectively fell trees to open up the views. Enough space will need to be left between the retained tress so that the gap remains exposing the view for some time. Periodic repeat treatment (perhaps every eight years) should maintain the views thereafter.

3. Knowleston Place Gardens

The central area and brook side are in a reasonable condition but now that the trees here are mature, and as they continue to grow the area is becoming very dark. The cliff face below the graveyard which would have formed a dramatic back drop to the gardens is now obscured by poor quality mature conifers in places. The cliff face has been fenced off since work on the boundary wall of the church grounds was started a few years ago. The wall of the pumping station is bounded by scrub bushes which will need periodic attention.

Knowleston Place Gardens are gloomy ten years after the DDDC restoration project. Action proposed - some selective felling would open it up again.

The temporary fencing below the cliffs at the south side of Knowleston Place has been 'temporary' for a long time. The area below the cliff is becoming overgrown and the area is increasingly scruffy - it should be an attractive backdrop to Knowleston Place and the Gardens..

Action proposed - a permanent solution is needed to any instability issues enabling the temporary fencing to be removed and vegetation management renewed.

4. Riverside Path, Knowleston Place to Harvey Dale

This path runs from the park along the bank of the river below Pic Tor and then under the railway bridge. Numerous small trees fill the river bank. The hillside is scattered with dead or dying trees which gives a very untidy appearance. After pipe laying in 1983 the grassed area on the town side of the railway bridge was not restored and again looks unkempt. Distorted old trees add to the feeling of desolation. 

Action proposed. Clear substantial gaps along the riverside to open up views of the river and elsewhere to create sunny glades... A good tidy-up of distorted trees, fallen trees etc! Ongoing management could include an annual brushcut of the area below the cliffs as well as periodic grass mowing near the footpath.

The DDDC Parks Restoration Programme opened up views of the river - but this was 10-15 years ago. The views are again obscured (in summer the bridge is invisible from this viewpoint). A further programme of thinning out the tree and shrub growth is needed.

Twisted trees, old stumps etc create an unfortunate impression of neglect.

5. Pic Tor

Pic Tor is the site of the town's first War Memorial. It was sited to be seen from all parts of the parish. Most of these views were lost some years ago because of uncontrolled tree growth. Following an approach by two Town Councillors some pruning took place and the situation was improved. However the view towards High Tor is poor and that towards Masson, the A6 and Artists Corner still lost. The hillside of Pic Tor towards the river has an ever increasing number of self set saplings so the problem will soon repeat itself.

Action proposed. The area cleared of trees needs to be annually brushcut as the scrub is regrowing from cut stumps ( perhaps the stumps could be poisoned?). Opening up the views down to the river would re-establish the broad panorama that featured in historic postcards.

View westwards from Pic Tor. Recent clearance in foreground needs ongoing management. Other trees block the views in summer.

A 1920s view from the Pic Tor War Memorial over Matlock

6. High Tor from Artists' Corner on the A6

This must be the best known of all local views. It is not called 'Artists' Corner' for nothing! A painting from this viewpoint was used extensively by the LMS Railway company in to advertise their service to Matlock. It was also featured on Urban District Council Publicity in the 1920's/1930's and painted many times by other artists.By 2016 the view had been lost for some years. As a result of lobbying to the DerwentWISE project by MCA the view was opened up - but so little was cleared that already the view is almost closed again.

Action proposed is to clear a much wider gap in the trees (starting on the right of the photo with the removal of the ivy-clad tree). Then maintain this gap by regular (every five years) clearance of any regrowth that occurs. Some work on the opposite (Eastern) bank could also be beneficial.

The gap recently cleared only partly opens up the view of

High Tor

Early 20th century views from Artists' Corner

7. Views from the A6 to Matlock Bath

The drive down the A6 between Artists' Corner and Matlock Bath used to be of the high cliffs on the opposite bank, culminating in the view of the majestic High Tor. These views are now very fleeting between the occasional gap in the trees.

Action proposed is to open up significant gaps in the trees so that at least some of these historic views are visible again. Most viewers will be in cars so the gaps will need to be significant to register. As with Artists' Corner (6 above) regular attention to clear regrowth will be essential.

The view from near 172 Dale Road. The full face of High Tor ought to be opened up from this viewpoint.

In summer no view

8 The Ship Loads

When the Civic Association created the Ship Loads Garden (1981-83) we worked closely with the District Council. The Council's contribution to the project included the side-pruning of the large riverside trees to open up the views down to and across the river. In the 1990s some of the tree branches snapped (blocking the road) and the complete trees had to be removed (this must have been expensive). By 2000 regrowth had resulted in the loss of these views. DDDC agreed to open up the view again as part of the Matlock Parks Restoration Project. By 2016, about 12 years later, regrowth is again obscuring the view

Action Proposed. The new regrowth is quite small dimensioned material which is much easier to remove. This emphasises the need for regular periodic clearance and perhaps (with Environment Agency agreement) poisoning of the cut stumps.

The riverside view has been opened up twice in the past 35 years. This regrowth would be easier to deal with now - leave it a few years and it becomes a much bigger problem.

The completed Ship Loads project in 1983. Admiring the views between the pruned trees

MCA1032