Latest News

Lake District Park Authority rejects ‘Legoland’ development at White Moss

November 5, 2014

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…

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Peer’s development plan threatens Lake District World Heritage status

November 3, 2014

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…

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We fight development of Stockport’s green lung

October 15, 2014

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…

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We slate Lancashire County Council for path-closure plans

August 26, 2014

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…

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Unwelcome development on Lake District common

August 8, 2014

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).…

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John Riddall—a lawyer for the people

August 3, 2014

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…

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Plan dropped for massive wind-turbines in Cumbrian beauty-spot

June 27, 2014

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…

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Secretary of State calls in Cumbrian wind-turbine application

March 21, 2014

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…

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Two beauty-spot windfarms scrapped

January 30, 2014

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,…

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Unbounded freedom

December 20, 2013

Andrew Humphries, experienced hill-farmer and teacher, writes about the contribution of the Lake District yeomen.   Unbounded freedom ruled the wandering scene Nor fence of ownership crept in between To hide the prospect of the following eye Its only bondage was the circling sky. (John Clare 1792-1864) Writing when enclosure and ‘high farming’ were in…

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