Recently, the Parish Council wrote to the National Trust (22 January 2025) asking for an update on the Trust’s plans for ‘big nature, better access’ estate masterplan community consultation.

The Trust’s reply (24 January 2025) is copied below. For context, the email chain dating back to May 2024 is also included.

It is disappointing to learn that the National Trust are still not ready to discuss their extensive proposals for Sherborne Estate with the community. A commitment to do so was a key outcome of the public meeting held during March 2024, and as you can see from the email chain below, it is not the first time the Trust have resisted progress.

Importantly, the National Trust and Cotswold District Council (CDC) both committed to hold separate community consultation groups (NT Sherborne Masterplan, and CDC Policy EN18). Item 1 noted in the Trust’s response below, refers to the CDC’s group.

It is also disappointing to note the Trust made no mention of the draft Terms of Reference provided by the Parish Council (PC request for Sherborne Estate Plan consultation update – 22 January 2025 – Sherborne Parish Council)

Considering the proposals contained in the various National Trust documents (National Trust Big Nature Big Access Documents – Sherborne Parish Council) which were revealed during the CDC Policy EN18 Consultation period early last year, many of which would bring about significant changes to the community and its general social wellbeing for many years, we believe it is entirely appropriate for the National Trust to engage in meaningful community consultation without delay.

We urge the Trust to take this matter seriously and to respect the deep-seated feelings running through the community and those of our neighbouring Parishes.

 

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From: Danson, Andrew <andrew.danson@nationaltrust.org.uk>
Sent: 24 January 2025 09:36
To: Tom Whiffen <tom@sherborneparish.org>
Cc: Juliet Layton <juliet.layton@cotswold.gov.uk>; stephen@sherborneparish.org; yvonne@sherborneparish.org; Ed <ed@sherborneparish.org>; Loose, Jonny <Jonny.Loose@nationaltrust.org.uk>; Matthew Britton <matthew.britton@cotswold.gov.uk>; Hannah Greyson-Gaito <hannah@sherborneparish.org>; Yvonne Blankley <yvonne@sherborneparish.org>; Local.Plan@cotswold.gov.uk
Subject: RE: CDC Local Plan Policy EN18 Feedback – Sherborne Parish Council 7 April 2024

Dear Tom,

Thank you for your correspondence.

1.) I believe that an invite from Cotswold District Council to a working group will be issued soon and that a meeting is likely to take place in April.

2.) It remains the National Trust position that the second working work won’t begin its work on the Estate wide Master plan until we know what the final version of Policy EN18 looks like.

I am happy to discuss further at our National Trust/Parish Council meeting on Monday afternoon if required.

Regards,

Andrew

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From: Tom Whiffen <tom@sherborneparish.org>
Sent: 22 January 2025 17:43
To: Danson, Andrew <andrew.danson@nationaltrust.org.uk>
Cc: Juliet Layton <juliet.layton@cotswold.gov.uk>; stephen@sherborneparish.org; yvonne@sherborneparish.org; Ed <ed@sherborneparish.org>; Loose, Jonny <Jonny.Loose@nationaltrust.org.uk>; Matthew Britton <matthew.britton@cotswold.gov.uk>; Hannah Greyson-Gaito <hannah@sherborneparish.org>; Yvonne Blankley <yvonne@sherborneparish.org>; Local.Plan@cotswold.gov.uk
Subject: RE: CDC Local Plan Policy EN18 Feedback – Sherborne Parish Council 7 April 2024

Hi Andrew,

Hope you are well.

At the Local Plan Update meeting on 18th March 2024, representatives from Sherborne and neighbouring parishes were presented with an overview of Cotswold District Council’s (CDC) Local Plan, including proposed policy EN-18, and the National Trust’s (NT) “Big Nature Better Access” project. At this meeting, both the NT and CDC agreed to establish regular, formal community consultations to guide the development of the Policy and associated NT plans (meeting notes here).

A key requirement of the Policy’s development is to:
“Describe how the local community and relevant stakeholders have influenced the masterplan and how they can continue to be involved in shaping the Estate.”

To this end, two Working Groups were agreed upon at this meeting:
1. One for EN-18 (CDC).
2. Another for direct consultation between the local community and the NT on the “Big Nature Better Access” plan.

This decision was warmly welcomed by the community, which expressed enthusiasm about being actively involved in discussions and decision making concerning the Sherborne Estate’s future management, and the impact it is likely to have in and around Sherborne.

Unfortunately, there appears to have been no progress towards the Working Groups since the meeting last March. The NT committed to several next steps, including:
• Circulating Terms of Reference for the Masterplan Working Group.
• Confirming the date for the first Working Group meeting.
• Sharing the Conservation Management Plan “as soon as possible”.

None of these actions have been completed to date, although it is clear that planning for the “Big Nature Better Access” project continues.

To help move things forward, I attach the draft Terms of Reference for your review. We are confident that these provide a clear structure for the community consultation process via the Working Group and see no reason for further delay.

We would like to hold the first meeting as soon as possible this quarter and look forward to your feedback.

Additionally, we will have some proposals for an independent chair, which can be shared once the Terms of Reference are agreed.

Many thanks in advance.

Kind regards,

Tom

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On 12/06/2024 10:50 BST Danson, Andrew <andrew.danson@nationaltrust.org.uk > wrote:

Dear Stephen,

I maintain my position that it would be inappropriate for the National Trust to provide formal feedback on consultation responses that weren’t addressed to us directly but please be assured that the I have shared the feedback widely within the Trust and we are taking it seriously.

I have provided informal personal feedback to your colleagues from Sherborne Parish council at a catch up we held on the 7th of May, with a representative of Farmington Parish council on the 12th of May and with members of the local community on a walk we held on the morning of the 18th of May.

Regards,

Andrew

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From: stephen@sherborneparish.org <stephen@sherborneparish.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2024 5:22 PM
To: Danson, Andrew <andrew.danson@nationaltrust.org.uk>; Local.Plan@cotswold.gov.uk
Cc: ‘Tony Dale’ <tony.dale@cotswold.gov.uk>; ‘Juliet Layton’ <juliet.layton@cotswold.gov.uk>; jolyon@sherborneparish.org; yvonne@sherborneparish.org; ‘Tom Whiffen’ <tom@sherborneparish.org>; ‘Ed’ <ed@sherborneparish.org>; ‘James Brain’ <James.Brain@cotswold.gov.uk>; Loose, Jonny <Jonny.Loose@nationaltrust.org.uk>; ‘Matthew Britton’ <matthew.britton@cotswold.gov.uk>
Subject: RE: CDC Local Plan Policy EN18 Feedback – Sherborne Parish Council 7 April 2024

Good afternoon Andrew.

Just checking to see if you can provide a response to our email below. We are keen to update the various communities on your thoughts.

Kind regards

Stephen

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From: Stephen Challis <stephen@sherborneparish.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 3:32 PM
To: Danson, Andrew <andrew.danson@nationaltrust.org.uk>; Local.Plan@cotswold.gov.uk
Cc: Tony Dale <tony.dale@cotswold.gov.uk>; Juliet Layton <juliet.layton@cotswold.gov.uk>; jolyon@sherborneparish.org; yvonne@sherborneparish.org; Tom Whiffen <tom@sherborneparish.org>; Ed <ed@sherborneparish.org>; James Brain <James.Brain@cotswold.gov.uk>; Loose, Jonny <Jonny.Loose@nationaltrust.org.uk>; Matthew Britton <matthew.britton@cotswold.gov.uk> Subject: RE: CDC Local Plan Policy EN18 Feedback – Sherborne Parish Council 7 April 2024

Thank you for your email.

Bearing in mind the proposals contained within the various National Trust documents provided to CDC as part of Policy EN18 Consultation (which only came to light during the CDC Consultation period), many of which would bring about significant change to the community and its general social wellbeing for many years to come, we do believe it is entirely appropriate for the Trust to provide feedback to the Parish Councils and the individuals who provided their important perspectives.

We urge the Trust to take this matter seriously and to respect the deep seated feelings running through the community and those of our neighbouring Parishes.

Your sincerely

Stephen

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On 09/05/2024 11:07 CEST Danson, Andrew <andrew.danson@nationaltrust.org.uk> wrote:

Dear Stephen,

I was unaware that the Parish Councils were expecting formal feedback from the National Trust in relation to the consultation responses for Policy EN18 and I don’t think it would be appropriate for us to provide one. The local plan consultation was carried out by Cotswold District Council and the responses provided were sent to them – I would therefore expect any feedback to come direct from them rather than the Trust.

I am currently waiting to hear from James in relation to how the District Council would like to proceed with Policy EN18 and the setting up of a potential working group.

Regards,

Andrew

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From: Stephen Challis <stephen@sherborneparish.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 8, 2024 11:28 AM
To: Danson, Andrew <andrew.danson@nationaltrust.org.uk>; Local.Plan@cotswold.gov.uk
Cc: Tony Dale <tony.dale@cotswold.gov.uk>; Juliet Layton <juliet.layton@cotswold.gov.uk>; jolyon@sherborneparish.org; yvonne@sherborneparish.org; Tom Whiffen <tom@sherborneparish.org>; Ed <ed@sherborneparish.org>; James Brain <James.Brain@cotswold.gov.uk>
Subject: Re: CDC Local Plan Policy EN18 Feedback – Sherborne Parish Council 7 April 2024

Good morning Andrew

We were wondering if you are able to confirm when we can expect to receive feedback on the Parish Council’s Policy EN18 consultation document. The community, and the other Parish Councils are eager to hear.

Kind regards

Stephen