Peak Forest

Reading Room

Peak Forest Reading Room is Grade 2 listed and has been a public building at the heart of community life since 1881. The main driver of the project was the need to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and ensure access for all the community. By working with the Village Plan group and applying for grant aid, the Reading Room Committee were able to resurface and landscape the car park, build a wheelchair and pram friendly footpath and ramp, and a new accessible parking bay. The building’s listed status meant that design and materials were of a very high standard. As well as reusing stone from the site itself, recycled York stone was used for the access ramp and designed to be non-intrusive. The Village Plan group were awarded a Commendation in the 2006 Greenwatch Awards for their work on this project.

 

Peak Forest Play Area

The Peak Forest Village Management Plan noted that: "There was widespread support for the idea that our recreation ground should be put to better use", specifically to "Specify and purchase play equipment on recreation ground".

The Peak Forest Village Management Committee used the objectives in the plan to propose the enhancement of the recreation area through the development of play facilities on part of the site. Work would include safety surfacing, fencing and purchase of equipment.

By applying for Objective 2 funding from the Peak District National Park Authority, the Management Committee claimed a 100% grant of £10,000 to carry out the project in December 2002. Further grants were obtained through the Countryside Agency Vital Villages programme and Landfill Tax funding.