Creswell Crags gets development grant

Plans to build a centre of excellence at the site of an Ice Age momument are going ahead after a £4.23m lottery boost.

Creswell Crags was awarded the grant – the lion’s share of the total required – from the Heritage Lottery Fund this week.

The centre will outline the Ice Age history of the Crags – where 13,000-year-old cave art and archaeological finds dating back 50,000 years have been discovered – to school children and tourists

Ian Wall, director for Creswell Heritage Trust and manager of the Crags site, said: “Britain seriously lacks a national focus where people in this country as well as an international audience are able to learn about the Ice Age.

“Creswell Crags now has the potential to be that centre and inspire visitors about the lifestyles of our early ancestors at a place we know they were living.”

The building will house state-of-the-art displays, including a demonstration area for flint knapping, a research and library room, collection storage facilities and a suite for education groups, talks and conferences.

Several museums, including the British Museum, have agreed to loan artefacts and special exhibitions.

The project has been planned for ten years and has won over £1.5m in funding from the European Regional Development Fund and East Midlands Development Agency earlier this year.

Frank Horsley of the East Midlands Development Agency said: “This new investment in Creswell Crags is an important step for the regeneration of the former coalfields, and the growth of these areas as thriving tourism hubs.”

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-23 03:21:32

Better protection for Derwent Valley Mills

Under new government plans, major developments near the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site will automatically be referred to the Secretary of State to decide, rather than a local planning committee, and homeowners would need planning permission for improvements such as satellite dishes and stone cladding.

The Government wants to create buffer zones around Derwent Valley Mills to stop them being ruined by inappropriate development. World Heritage Sites will be given the same protection as national parks.

But the move is likely to come too late for villagers campaigning against plans for 74 homes around the ancient dyehouse beside the River Derwent, at Milford, which is part of the site.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-07 12:58:54