Important notice: This is an archived version of the Peak District National Park Authority's website. It was last updated on 2 August 2011. The current version can be found at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk. This old version of the website will remain available until all content and functionality has been transferred across to the new website, after which it will be switched off.
Living In
How to apply for planning permission. Historic buildings and conservation areas, village management.
- Visitor Centres
Locations and contact details of our four visitor centres - Pedal Peak District
Route maps, bike hire and how to get fit for free - Guided Walks and Events
Free guided walks suitable for all and other events all year round - Getting here
Make use of the best public transport links for any National Park
Live & Work Rural in the Peak District
Live & Work Rural is a Programme to help new and existing small & medium sized businesses, social enterprises, voluntary & community sector that enhance the special environment of the Peak District.
Even if you just have an idea buzzing around but need help pinning it down, we can help. The L&WR area is wider than the National Park boundary, as we recognise that there are many businesses just outside the Park who contribute to the vibrancy of the National Park.
Live and Work Rural Case Studies
Live & Work Rural is an advice and support Programme to help turn business ideas into reality or help them to develop and grow sustainably. We can help in a number of ways by:
- Working with you to develop an enterprising idea
- Offering an environmental healthcheck to help reduce the costs to your business and protect the environment
- Signposting to useful business networks, training and groups to improve your supply chains and stimulate new business ideas and opportunities
- Offering training and workshops in relevant subjects and addressing issues facing small rural businesses
- Pointing you in the right direction for advice through Business Link and other grants such as LEADER, SDF or appropriate external funding.
- Assisting with a small seedcord grant fund, typically 40% towards the total project up to a maximum of £2,000 *
*IMPORTANT NOTICE. Please Note: Due to the fact that the interest in the L&WR grant is now exceeding the funds currently available the maximum grant available has now been reduced from £3,500 to £2,000. This allows the limited resources to benefit as many worthy businesses as possible.
Environmental support for your business
Live & Work Rural can help you to reduce the environmental impact of your business in a number of ways. This can help you to reduce costs and promote your business to customers as a forward thinking responsible enterprise.
Environmental support information and factsheets
Meet the team:
Our Senior L&WR Officer is Lindsay Allen, Lindsay.allen@peakdistrict.gov.uk
Adele Metcalfe adele.metcalfe@peakdistrict.gov.uk
Dan Yates daniel.yates@peakdistrict.gov.uk
Sharon Batty - sharon.batty@peakdistrict.gov.uk (rural South Yorkshire)
We will be happy to discuss your business idea and the service includes signposting to other help and advice.
We can help if your business idea or community project:
- Links to the Peak District and benefits the environment. We can help you work it out.
- Is sustainable. We’re looking for long-lasting economic and social results and benefits
- Develops networks and better ways to work with others
- Check the map to see if you are in the Live & Work Rural programme area. Contact us if you’re not sure
How the process works
Stage 1
If you wish to email your outline ideas to see if we can help, a member of the team will contact you to discuss your ideas.
Our team has a thorough understanding of the needs of rural buisnesess, and the networks that can make them a success. We have experience of running a business, creating business networks and advising social enterprises & micro businesses on feasibility studies and business planning. With a wide range of knowledge of grant schemes and the support of our colleagues and partners we can assist you to make the right decisions for your business.
Stage 2
You will be assigned a L&WR Officer who will work with you for as little or long as you require. It is a flexible programme and after initial discussions, you may not need to contact us again for a few months as your ideas develop and then you can call us to take forward your ideas onto the next level.
Many of our clients, just need a bit of advice or to talk through their idea and gain confidence that it really can work. However, we’ve helped the following businesses with small grants to help them on their way.
If our service isn’t right for you, we will be able to signpost you to other sources of support and information.
Background to the Programme
Why we’re here for you…
In 2008 the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) carried out a special study of the Peak District economy. It highlighted some interesting points of view and facts about landscape, population and tourism.
Download PDF report (3.8MB) 
Our Business Plan (232KB) was developed to direct the work of the Programme.
Moors for the Future presentations
Copies of the presentations from the event held at The Rising Sun on 16 March 2011 can be downloaded below:
Tendering for Local Moorland Restoration Contracts - Peak District National Park context (943KB)
Moorland Restoration in the Peak District and South Pennines 2010 (1.4MB)
Paperwork & small print, tender & contract process and what you need to know about the Gangmasters Licence (61KB)
Peak District & Derbyshire Activity Group & Live & Work Rural Programme Event
Copies of the presentations from the event held on 8 April 2011 can be downloaded below:
Consultation on the National Park Management Plan - Join Our Conversation (1.2MB)
Active in the Outdoors (482KB)
Meet the Buyer presentations
Copies of the presentations delivered at the Meet the Buyer held on 10 May at Bakewell Town Hall. This event enabled buyers from our Visitor Centres, Tourist Information Centres, National Trust, Haddon Hall and Chatsworth House to meet local arts and craft producers with a view to doing more business locally.
The weekend shopping company (143KB)
LWR presentation - What Sells and What Doesn't? (84KB)
LWR presentation - meet the buyers (257KB)
LWR supplier assessment (445KB)
Green Communities Conference 2011
Copies of the presentations from the event held at the Nightingale Centre, Great Hucklow on Friday 6th May 2011 can be downloaded below
Bradwell Community Orchard Group - Bruce Nowell (62KB)
Calver Weir restoration - Nick Quaife (337KB)
Capitalising on the climate of change presentation - Pete Spriggs (430KB) - follow up 'top tips' presentation (75KB)
Community owned renewables - MEA (1MB)
Green Directions - Mark Woodward (341KB)
Living Without Services - Paul and Liz Downing (1.4MB)
Localism presentation - Neil Moulden - DDCVS (119KB)
Matlock Foodhub - Helen Cunningham (395KB)
Sustainable Building - Nick Parsons (248KB)
Peak Hydro - Friends of the Peak District (815KB)
Renewable Energy Technologies for Farms
Copies of the presentations from the event ran on 19 May 2011 at Litton Village Hall, with information about all types of renewable technology in the context of the National Park.
Renewable Heat Incentive (222KB)
Energy Efficiency (108KB)
Planning for Renewables on Farms (245KB)
Why Invest in Energy (334KB)
Energy Farming (1.5MB)
Suppliers List
Looking for a local trades person, someone to design your website or do you need another job doing? We are building up a local supplier list of skilled people within the Live & work Rural Programme area for you to make contact with.
Please note that this list is for guidance only and is not comprehensive. The responsibility for ascertaining the competence or suitability of any contractor remains with the person using the list.
If you would like to be added to the list please contact us."
Live & Work Rural suppliers list (255KB) - updated January 2011
Useful links
Energy Saving Trust - www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Business Link - East Midlands , North West , West Midlands
Peak Directions - www.peakdirections.co.uk
More information
Phone 01629 816338
Email liveandworkrural@peakdistrict.gov.uk
Write
L&WR Administration Officer
Aldern House
Baslow Road
Bakewell
Derbyshire
DE45 1AE
Website
www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/liveandworkrural
*IMPORTANT NOTICE. Please Note: Due to the fact that the interest in the L&WR grant is now exceeding the funds currently available the maximum grant available has now been reduced from £3,500 to £2,000. This allows the limited resources to benefit as many worthy businesses as possible.
Download our leaflet (815KB)
The Live & Work Rural programme runs from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2012.
It is operated by the Peak District National Park Authority in partnership with East Midlands Development Agency and Derby & Derbyshire Economic Partnership
The Live & Work Rural programme is supported by partners:
Business Link, Rural Development Programme for England Peak District Rural Action Zone LEADER Action Group, University of Derby, Peak District & Derbyshire Destination Management Partnership, Natural England, High Peak Borough Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Peak Partners for Rural Action (community and voluntary).
Programme area map
click to see full size map and other elegibility criteria
