Birchall teams up with Milligan to develop Peak District gateway

Rupert Carr’s Birchall Properties has partnered with developer Milligan on building the UK’s first fully serviced national park gateway at the edge of the Peak District National Park. Milligan will lead the partnership on a major marketing and research phase over the next two months, to engage with brands, retail and leisure operators, and motor vehicle manufacturers on potential partnerships on the sustainable tourism initiative. It aims to discuss opportunities with large and small companies, which could either be local or national. A detailed building specification will be finalised once this phase completes in September, with construction to begin next year. The gateway facility, in Derbyshire, is intended to create a more sustainable way to visit the national park. Since 85% of visitors travel to the park by car, the gateway would mitigate the environmental impact from this by providing accommodation, parking and services for onward travel into the park. This could be by foot, cycling or park-and-ride public electric vehicles. Engineering consultancy Cundall, the sustainability partner for the project, plans to create an “ultra-sustainable” facility that will operate with “complete transparency” using industry metrics. The Peak District National Park Authority, Chesterfield Borough Council and the University of Derby have also partnered with the jv on the scheme. Birchall owns the 300-acre development on the east side of the national park, called PEAK Resort. This comprises planning permission for up to 2,000 hotel rooms and 250 lodges as well as a range of leisure, education and entertainment facilities. The first phase of construction, consisting of a leisure scheme known as Adrenalin World, is already underway and will open in spring 2021. Milligan highlighted that demand for national parks is predicted to rise exponentially over the coming years, sped up by the impact of Covid-19. Other factors behind this shift include the increasing cost of international travel, and awareness around the environmental impact of this. Melanie Taylor, head of retail and relations at Milligan, said: “Our vision is to create a sustainable hub for like-minded businesses and a base camp for the exploration of the UK’s first national park. This will be a world-class example of a sustainable tourism project. “A gateway could provide information for visitors to book single or multi-day itineraries, explore the area using more sustainable, less polluting modes of transport and buy or hire outdoor activity equipment to try out new activities.” Sarah Fowler, chief executive of the Peak District National Park, said that “supporting sustainable gateways and opportunities for visitors to experience what we have to offer in a responsible way” is “vital” to its future. “The Covid-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus the role that national parks and our outdoor spaces can play in our recovery and long-term wellbeing,” she said. “The Peak District’s unique position in the heart of the country already makes us accessible to millions, and our involvement in the Gateway at PEAK will help unlock our wildlife, cultural heritage and natural beauty to others, befitting a pioneering approach to sustainable tourism.” Huw Bowen, chief executive of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “It will be a tourist attraction of national significance, supported by the wider catchment and improved connectivity provided by the advent of HS2. “It will provide sustainable transport links to attractions and activities within Chesterfield and the national park. We are also keen to ensure that local people benefit from the Gateway at PEAK through skills development and access to jobs, by working with Milligan and future operators helping them utilise local business supply chains wherever practicable.” The Peak District covers around 355,200 acres and attracts more than 13m visitors each year. More than 25m people live within 50 miles of its boundaries, with 61% of visits from the east side of the park. To send feedback, e-mail pui-guan.man@egi.co.uk or tweet @PuiGuanM or @estatesgazette