Client: Derbyshire County Council

Pleasley is located on the Nottinghamshire-Derbyshire border and the Destination Hub consists of three main destinations – Hardwick Hall, Pleasley Pit Country Park and Pleasley Vale (including an Outdoor Activity Centre).

We were commissioned to carry out a destination feasibility study to test the potential of the area to become a sustainable tourism hub, which would be underpinned by the area’s heritage assets, environment and landscape, with cycling as a zero-carbon leisure activity. Our work involved an audit of the tourism assets, a review of the competitive landscape, extensive stakeholder consultation and market assessment.

The work also evaluated the economics of developing a sustainable tourism hub, by considering alternative economic models such as ‘not-for-profit’, ‘willingness to pay’ and ‘voluntourism’. Consideration was also extended to: developing ‘circular’ and ‘local’ economies; promoting local products; zero-carbon or low-carbon development; using appropriate development to support health and wellbeing and to make a positive contribution to local cultural and environmental heritage by directing profits into future management. Our work provided a robust evidence base upon which future destination development decisions could be determined. The feasibility study set out a future growth action plan for the destination.

How can we help?
If you have any questions or would like to discuss our work within the sustainable tourism and destination development sectors please don’t hesitate to call Richard Linington on 07866 742628 or email richard@pslplan.co.uk