Walkers banned from Longleat estate due to 'safety fears'
Walkers and cyclists are being excluded from parts of the Longleat estate on the grounds of security, health and safety and insurance.
That was the message from estate bosses yesterday who hit back at ‘incorrect and misleading claims’ made by local residents who said they have been barred from the Wiltshire estate in the past few weeks.
Longleat said it was ‘reviewing’ access to only a fraction of the total grounds of the estate – less than ten per cent – although that area did include the popular Pleasure Walk.
The estate managers said they intended to hold a public meeting some time next month to talk through the changes with concerned locals.
A spokesman for Longleat, the management of which recently passed from Lord Bath to his son Ceawlin, said: “In recent weeks there has been a series of stories which have appeared in the media with regard to a review of access to parts of the Longleat estate.
“We have been reluctant to comment on these stories up until now as the review is very much ongoing. “Unfortunately a number of incorrect and, sometimes, misleading statements have found their way into the media.
“Therefore we now feel it is necessary to try and clarify some key issues and, hopefully, provide people with a clearer overall picture of what we are doing and why.
"Firstly, we would like to reiterate that the actual area involved in the review represents less than ten per cent of the total 10,000-acre estate.
"Access to areas like Heaven’s Gate, most of the woodland, Shearwater and the remainder of the estate remain totally unaffected.
"The review focuses on specific areas of concern which have been identified around Longleat House and the formal, landscaped gardens and attractions. Secondly the review is not something we have chosen to do lightly. It is something that we have been forced to address as a matter of urgency.
“No one wants to have to make these difficult and potentially unpopular decisions but sadly we are now at a stage where we no longer have any choice,” he said.
Longleat said it has to satisfy its insurers that it has ‘taken all reasonable steps’ to protect the property, and they advised the control of access be improved.
It also said police had advised to step up security on the estate, which is notorious for crime like car break-ins. And also Longleat said it had concerns about health and safety with public access close to the safari park.
“In addition to those issues we have also had an ongoing and growing problem with a minority of irresponsible dog walkers who are failing to clear up after their pets and are also refusing to keep them under control in areas close to vulnerable wildlife,” he added.
3 Comments
by Charles_999
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 11:47AM
“Viscount Weymouth does not appear to have inherited his father's caring genes when he inherited Longleat. His first appointment was to appoint a CEO - David Bradley; a man driven by financial gain with no consideration for the impact on others. He has spent, spent and spent, changing direction with the wind, undermining and alienating the management team in the process, ring-fencing himself with newly appointed consultants making half the managers leave. Those left keep their heads down rather than risk a similar fate. Consider his attitude to the over 65s: they were shown the door because they did not fit his vision of how Longleat should look. Attractions lost their experienced staff members being replaced by younger 'attractive' models who are less able to answer questions. Then to add insult to injury they have been shown the door to their homes. Loyal members of staff have been required to pay the going rent on their homes – something that had been part of their employment package, effectively making them homeless. A PR own goal which resulted in national media discussing what should have been an internal HR issue! If only he would consult!
Changes around this historic estate appear without any apparent regard for planning rules. I thought consent had to be gained first, not retrospectively. The Hunters of the Sky display was advertised as opening at Easter 2011 then delayed to get the consents for the work started whilst similar issues were seen with the conversion of the Orangery to an inflated price cafe. Fake boulders and singing Christmas trees introduced amongst many other Hollywood themed additions – surely Capability Brown's landscapes are not to be totally suppressed by the next generation ... Incapability Brown!
Two hotels are purchased resulting in all the local B&B's, who have supported Longleat for years, being removed from the website without any consultation. Clearly they need to make the hotel purchases profitable, but not everyone coming to the area wants to stay at hotel prices...the entrance tickets make the visit too expensive before you add these inflated prices on top. It's not even as if the hotels are near, so you will still need to drive to the Estate!
Now we see his next plan – stop the locals walking or cycling in the area. I've not heard if they are challenging the horse riders yet, but I'd like to see the security try to drive them off the Estate! Surely a public footpath cannot just be closed. The rationale for this move - Insurance, Security and Health & Safety. Looking at the crime maps of the Estate and there are no sudden crime spikes to suggest an urgent implementation of a policy before consultation. Health & Safety suggest that these irresponsible dog walkers and cyclists are passing through the Lion enclosure! I would be very surprised if the Insurance Company has suddenly considered that Longleat has changed its risk levels from previous quotes, unless they are looking to add an income protection element!
Now they offer public consultation meetings (albeit no dates or locations) – another piece of rhetoric too pacify the locals. Why should such promises of community benefit be believed? David Bradley will come and go: I only hope that he does not destroy the heritage whilst turning Longleat into a 'theme park'. The only thing for sure is he has alienated the locals to such an extent that I doubt many would want to spend their local money on Longleat. I could not afford it if I wanted to. My advice... Annual Family Passes to the National Trust are cheaper than one Longleat day ticket and they don't dumb down their product understanding that you can both educate and entertain and welcome dogs and bikes!”
by Charles_999
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 11:46AM
“How can they ban people from walking on recognised footpaths and cycleways? What is to happen to the cycling events planned on their calendar of events - oh they will probably allow them in as it's good publicity - something they clearly need at the moment!!!”
by wheelie_bin
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 10:17AM
“ah! 'elf and safety - that old chestnut (that might fall on your head leading to spurious no-win no-fee claims)”