Plans to redevelop Peak District attraction receive public backing
Plans to redevelop the National Stone Centre (NSC) in Derbyshire have received “overwhelmingly positive” support from the public.
The volunteer-run facility in Wirksworth celebrates the Peak District’s rich history of limestone quarrying, introducing visitors to basic construction skills by offering courses in dry walling and stone carving.
It is run in conjunction with the Institute of Quarrying (IQ).
IQ’s website outlines plans to create “a world-class visitor experience and an internationally significant centre of excellence for the quarrying and mineral products industry.”
This would include a “large exhibition space” plus a shop, café, lecture and performance space, classrooms and storage facilities which would form the first phase of a new centre of learning.
A six-month consultation period has now been completed, with regular visitors to the attraction receiving assurances that its much-loved café will remain open during the building works.
Updates to the proposals are being incorporated into a full planning application which will be submitted to Derbyshire Dales District Council “in due course.”
James Thorne, CEO at the IQ, said: “This process was very much about listening to what people had to say and providing a channel via which all feedback could be delivered – positive and negative.
“We had a good response to the consultation, both in person and in writing. This included insightful feedback on the project’s outline plans, which we have taken and used to inform a further iteration of the proposed development plans.
“We are looking to make a significant contribution to the Derbyshire visitor economy and through doing so, inspire future generations to join an exciting sector to help tackle significant challenges, such as digitisation, the circular economy, zero carbon and skills of people in the industry today.”
