United Utilities refuse filming at beauty spot to reduce visitors

A utility giant has refused requests from film and TV companies wanting to use a controversial picture postcard reservior in their productions.

United Utilities (UU) - along with RSPB and Oldham Council - control the fortunes of Dovestone reservior at Greenfield.

But as part of their remit to mitigate visitor numbers at the picturesque site, they have turned down filming  opportunities.

A United Utility spokesperson told the Chronicle: “We have had numerous requests from TV dramas and documentaries to film at Dovestone in the last 12 months.

“But as part of our visitor action plan, we continue to not promote Dovestone to visitors and have in fact turned down a number of filming opportunities.

“The only proactive communication has been around reservoir safety and moorland fire prevention.”

Dovestone has been mired by frustration and anger with the deluge of visitors cars causing chaos for residents and a spate of illegal BBQs increasing problems.

Debbie Abrahams, MP for Saddleworth and Oldham East, expressed  ‘disappointment’  at the lack of movement from UU along with the Chair of Greenfield and Grasscroft Community Association, Dr Andrew Taylor.

Responding, UU said RSPB fire wardens had a positive impact last summer, with useful conversations on fire risk and educating visitors about the site.

“They dealt with 97 BBQ and campfire incidents, reducing fire risk,” said a UU spokesperson. “And we saw a reduction in the number of groups trying to have BBQs/gatherings and an improvement in visitor behavior.  

“We’re really pleased funding has been secured so they can continue for the next few years.”

The visitor action plan, published in conjunction with their partners, showed less reports of anti-social behaviour and traffic issues compared to previous years.
 
United Utilities and RSPB  secured a £1.2m grant from Natural England and UU provided £568,000 of funding to continue restoration of 940 hectares of peat bog across the nature reserve.  

Work is ongoing to plant 500,000 sphagnum plants, 10,000 peat dams, 1,000 stone dams and 1,000 heather bale dams.  This will help the fight against climate change with peat restoration creating a wetter, more resilient, protected landscape.
 
The spokesperson added: “The partnership has continued to fund the car park marshalls at peak periods and this will happen again this year.  

“Where necessary, matrix signage was utilised last year and Oldham Council is exploring  options to make use of their permanent signage in the area.
 
“As part of our ‘business as usual’ activities, litter picking, bin emptying, safety audits, fencing, signage and maintenance continues and we have completed the installation of CCTV at the club house and toilet block.
 
“Meantime, essential maintenance is under way at Yeoman Hey crest during what is normally a quieter period for visitor numbers.”

Dr Taylor said: “UU cannot directly control visitor numbers but they have approached the media to reduce publicity - and could well do with talking to online hiking sites and the owners of huge hoardings displaying Dovestone.

“The proposals for signage are good and the illuminated signs worked to an extent. But equally marshalls are crucial and guaranteed for some time but co-ordinating their presence with random demand levels is difficult.

“The large budgets mentioned are for moorland improvements, not for this issue.

“They mention double yellow lines which have worked well but some drivers still ignore them, and they suggest Park and Ride but the problems of locations, finances, vehicles and staffing make it unlikely.

“CCTV has been an excellent step forward but we don’t know how it is monitored and how the stored images are viewed - if at all.”

He added: “The commitment to stakeholder involvement is crucial to appease residents’ frustrations and recruit volunteers to monitor activity in the area.”

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