Pressure groups fight fencing plan in Lake District’s wilderness
We are backing our member the Friends of the Lake District in fighting a plan by United Utilities to erect fencing on common land in the heart of the Lake District National Park. United Utilities has applied to erect nearly ten kilometres of new fencing at the South Western end of Thirlmere, enclosing 866 hectares…
Read MoreLake District Park Authority rejects ‘Legoland’ development at White Moss
The Lake District National Park Authority’s Development Control Committee today rejected plans for the development of White Moss. Jim Lowther, brother of the eighth Earl of Lonsdale who is custodian of the family’s estate, had applied to develop common land at White Moss on the A591 between Rydal Water and Grasmere. The committee members, by…
Read MorePeer’s development plan threatens Lake District World Heritage status
Jim Lowther, brother of the eighth Earl of Lonsdale, who is custodian of the family’s 117-square-mile estate, is planning to develop common land at White Moss on the A591 between Rydal Water and Grasmere at the heart of the poet Wordsworth’s countryside. The Lowther estate stretches across Cumbria from Penrith to the Howgill fells—some of…
Read MoreWe fight development of Stockport’s green lung
We have objected to plans to develop part of the Reddish Vale Country Park, Stockport, for housing. Countryside Properties (UK) Ltd wants to build 99 houses there, on land north of Blackberry Lane. The society, in its objection letter to Stockport Council, has pointed out that the land is green belt and public open space…
Read MoreWe slate Lancashire County Council for path-closure plans
We are dismayed that Lancashire County Council proposes to close three footpaths which cross land at Helmshore Primary School, Haslingden, having failed last year to move them out of the way. The paths cross the field in the form of a triangle. The council claims the cross-field paths are a risk to security, yet it…
Read MoreUnwelcome development on Lake District common
The Lowther Estate wants to develop White Moss Common next to the A591 between Rydal Water and Grasmere in the Lake District National Park. The estate proposes to create a visitor centre and hierarchy of routes at the existing car-park and has submitted a planning application to the Lake District National Park Authority (ref 7/2014/5399).…
Read MoreJohn Riddall—a lawyer for the people
We are sad that John Riddall, who lived in Bradwell in the Derbyshire Peak District, has died aged 86. He had been our vice-president since 2003 and was a trustee (1987–1993) and our local correspondent for the Derbyshire Dales district (1986-1994). With John Trevelyan he was co-author of the second, third and fourth editions of…
Read MorePlan dropped for massive wind-turbines in Cumbrian beauty-spot
Banks Renewables has abandoned its plan to build three massive wind-turbines near Killington Reservoir in Cumbria (near junction 37 on the M6 motorway)—the gateway to the Lake District and the Western Fells of the Yorkshire Dales. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, called in the application last March after South…
Read MoreSecretary of State calls in Cumbrian wind-turbine application
We are delighted that Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has called in the planning application for three wind-turbines near Killington Reservoir in Cumbria (near junction 37 on the M6 motorway) —the gateway to the Lake District and the Western Fells of the Yorkshire Dales. South Lakeland District Council approved…
Read MoreTwo beauty-spot windfarms scrapped
Community Windpower has scrapped its controversial windfarms in beauty-spots at Davidstow in Cornwall and Claughton Moor in Lancashire. The society had objected to both because of their adverse effect on fine landscapes and open country, and people’s enjoyment of them. Both were in designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Community Windpower, in its press release,…
Read More