Aim

The Peak District is a welcoming place where all are inspired to enjoy, care for and connect to its special qualities.

One purpose of National Parks is to give people the opportunity to understand and enjoy the National Park's special qualities. The Peak District National Park provides users with a wonderful resource for all to enjoy the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage. However, the National Park is not accessed equally by all communities. We plan to tackle this inequality by removing barriers that prevent a diverse representation of users. Some of these are physical barriers, such as a lack of user friendly or affordable public transport links which makes some areas difficult to reach without a car and in some places, there is no access for those with limited mobility. Other barriers relate to perceptions, intellectual access and cultural or social factors that can prevent people from visiting due to a lack of confidence to explore and discover the natural world. If we do not tackle these inequalities there will be communities who will miss out on the benefits the Peak District National Park has to offer.

There are many benefits from widening the number and type of communities who connect with the National Park. Widening connections provides an opportunity to improve people's health and wellbeing through activity in the outdoor environment. Experiencing cultural heritage and the natural world can also enrich lives in many ways. Since the COVID 19 pandemic, greater awareness and emphasis have been put on health and wellbeing and there is now an opportunity to promote the health and wellbeing benefits the National Park can offer.

The Peak District National Park is one of the UK's most well-known and best loved visitor destinations, providing the area with much-needed income, jobs and services. We want to ensure that a sustainable tourism industry flourishes in order to support a healthy local economy. However, given the popularity of the National Park and its proximity to major centres of population, sustainable visitor management is key. All are welcome to use the National Park but sometimes activities may harm the special qualities, in particular at very busy or sensitive locations. At times the number or behaviour of visitors can impact on the landscape and nature being visited, other visitors and people who live and work here. We want to help people to recognise and understand this when they enjoy the special qualities. This applies equally to all users. Understanding that the National Park's special qualities are at risk from a range of pressures can help reduce those pressures and increase people's enjoyment. With enjoyment, there comes responsibility and it is important that we help everyone recognise the part they can play in helping to protect the Peak District National Park.

The three objectives in this aim focus on the National Park being a welcoming place where understanding, enjoyment and respect of the National Park's special qualities are central to the management of the place.

Objective 7: To encourage a sustainable visitor economy that supports local businesses, cares for the National Park's special qualities and respects the well-being of local communities

Target

By 2028 there will have been an increase in people recognising sustainable visitor practices.

Headline delivery

By 2028 we will have improved active travel and sustainable access through the following.

• Progressing the Buxton to Matlock sections of the 'White Peak Loop'.

• Developing and delivering area management plans for key recreation hubs and access points that inspire all to care for and enjoy our special qualities.

• Promoting and developing the rights of way network to connect to recreation hubs in the National Park accessibly.

• Developing a National Park travel framework that encourages more sustainable visitor patterns to, from and within the National Park.

By 2028 we will have a sustainable visitor economy that supports local businesses and cares for the National Park's special qualities by delivering the following.

• Encouraging more businesses to adopt sustainable practices by taking part in business support programmes and achieving the Environmental Quality Mark.

• Extending the reach of #Peak District Proud messages so it is used widely by businesses and communities to promote and care for our special qualities.

By 2028 we will enable all to connect, enjoy and care for the special qualities by encouraging businesses to become Peak Partners and raise funds through the Peak District National Park Foundation to support delivery of the Management Plan aims.

Objective 8: To create opportunities for young people and those from under-served communities to connect with and enjoy the National Park

Target

By 2028 visitors that connect to and enjoy the National Park are substantially closer to national population demographics.

Headline delivery

By 2028 we will adopt an inclusive approach that delivers the following.

• Providing opportunities for young people within an hour's travel time of the National Park to connect and enjoy the place, including the potential for an overnight experience.
• Creating ways for young people and under-served communities to be involved in shaping National Park polices.
• Identifying key under-served communities and working with these to co-create opportunities to enjoy and contribute to the care of the National Park.
• Providing sustainable access opportunities to the National Park for young people and under-served communities.

Objective 9: To promote the National Park as a place where there are opportunities for the improvement of physical and mental health and wellbeing

Target

By 2028 users feel their time in the National Park has contributed to their improved health and wellbeing.

Headline delivery

By 2028 we will have promoted the Peak District National Park as an outstanding place to support and improve health and wellbeing through the following.

• Promoting the benefits of connecting with nature and heritage for physical and mental health and wellbeing.

• Ensuring the existing rights of way network is more accessible and connected to recreation hubs.