Lyme Park car park planning application withdrawn

Following more than 300 objections – including a detailed response from CPRE Cheshire – the National Trust have withdrawn their application to expand the car park at Lyme Park.

In July 2023, the National Trust submitted a planning application to relocate and expand the car park at Lyme Park. The work would have caused substantial harm to the parkland environment, and we’re delighted that the Trust has decided to think again.

CPRE Cheshire was one of many organisations and individuals submitting detailed objections to the plans. We believe the National Trust plays a hugely positive role in caring for heritage assets and recognise they face big challenges in balancing competing priorities. In this case, though, we could not accept that the suggested benefits of the plans would have outweighed the harms.

Our concerns revolved around 6 themes:

• Impact on the landscape and character of this Grade II* Registered Historic Parkland
• Impact on the setting of the listed building assets at Lyme Hall and Park
• Impact on the enjoyment of walkers and others visiting this part of the Peak District National Park
• Lack of adequate measures to mitigate harm to heritage and the landscape
• Traffic issues and the failure in our view to adequately promote more sustainable forms of travel
• Impact on biodiversity

The Trust give a number of reasons for their decision, and say they will now be taking time to consider their next steps. For more details of their position, see Projects at Lyme.