Peak education centre at riskas park bosses tighten belts

PEAK PARK bosses are considering selling off an education and conference centre in Castleton, as part of plans to save up to 2m over the next four years due to Government cuts.

The Peak District National Park Authority says that closing Losehill Hall would save up to 300,000 a year in running costs and, if sold, would provide a “substantial” capital income.

Closing Losehill Hall would endanger the jobs of 41 members of staff and also affect a further 45 casual workers such as education visits leaders. The authority has now launched a six-week public consultation and is also looking into setting up partnerships to deliver the services currently provided at Losehill Hall.

Authority chairman Narendra Bajaria said: “We have considered carefully the management team recommendation and also views of staff and members of the public.Everyone, the staff, union and people who use Losehill Hall were rightly proud and passionate about its role. They played an important part in the authority deciding to give more time for public consultation before making this very difficult decision.”

Losehill Hall, which has 41 bedrooms and 27 acres of parkland, was bought by the former Peak Park Planning Board in 1970 and was officially opened as the Peak National Park Study Centre in 1972.

It is intended that educational facilities there will continue until at least March next year.

A spokesman for the Peak District National Park Authority added: “At present, Losehill Hall has 28 full-time equivalent posts – 41 individuals who include learning and hospitality staff. A statutory process of looking for redeployments has to start immediately, followed if necessary in three months by redundancy notices, though this could change if a potential partner wanted to transfer some staff.”