Important notice: This is an archived version of the Peak District National Park Authority's website.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.

Walking on riverside footpath under broad leaved trees

Looking After

How we work to look after the National Park, conservation, ranger services, biodiversity and policies.

Christopher Pennell

Christopher Pennell

I am chair of the authority's audit, resources and performance committee and the member representative for natural beauty and landscape issues.

Contact me

If you want to contact me about the work of the Peak District National Park Authority you can do so in the following ways:

Telephone: 01142 351568

Email: christopher.pennell@peakdistrict.gov.uk

Address: 3 Brinkburn Vale Road, Dore, Sheffield, S17 3NZ

About Me

I live within three miles of the National Park boundary and have previously served for 13 years as a parish councillor in South Yorkshire, including one year as a Town Mayor.  

Now retired from full-time employment, I previously worked for 27 years in the coal industry, finally becoming the Head of all British Coal’s procurement and ultimately heading British Coal’s privatisation project.  I am hugely experienced in business and the economy.

I have a law degree and considerable experience of managing and using lawyers on commercial, corporate and planning matters.

During my 10 years as the National Trust’s Director for the East Midlands I was directly responsible for Dove Dale, the Manifold Valley, Kinder Scout, Bleaklow, Winnats Pass, large parts of the Edale Valley and the Longshaw Estate.

I was also a member of English Nature’s Council for two years and then became a board member of Natural England and the chair of its audit and risk committee until my term of office ended in September 2010.

I have experience of planning matters from my parish role and also my work for British Coal (National Coal Board), the National Trust and Friends of the Peak District.

I am currently the member appointed to champion natural beauty and landscape issues in the Peak District National Park Authority.

What the national park means to me

For 60 of my 64 years I have lived within a very short journey of the National Park and have walked it extensively, sometimes doing over 30 miles in a single day (but not so far in recent years!).  

I believe that the rural countryside of the National Park and the surrounding conurbations are inextricably linked. The countryside provides the towns with wholesome food, clean water, flood protection and carbon sequestration if the moors are in good condition, and endless inspiration and recreation.  The conurbations provide the park with services for its people, jobs for its residents, visitors supporting the Park’s economy and substantial financial investment.

I have lived outside the National Park all my life, but my heart rests within in it, as did my father’s and grandfather’s before me; hence why I sought a job for 10 years serving the National Park as National Trust Director and hence why I volunteered my enthusiasm, expertise and brains to support the Park through Authority membership.  

I respect those who live and work in the National Park and want to help get the best for them and I hope that they in turn respect those of us outside the Park who are utterly committed to its future.

Membership of outside bodies

I am:

  • The chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s East Midlands Committee, having first become a member in 2005.
  • A member of the Friends of the Peak District (Campaign for the Protection of Rural England)
  • Friends of the Peak District Guardian.  
  • A member of the Sheffield Wildlife Trust
  • A member of the National Trust
  • A member of English Heritage.