Crosthwaite Expand 17th October 2018 We recently responded to consultation on a proposal for 5 dwellings at Crosthwaite. Crosthwaite has seen significant housing development for a village its size recently and is also under consideration for approximately 50 more in the Lake District National Park Authority’s Local Plan Review. We expressed our concern that this is resulting in overdevelopment as well as about the type and size of housing proposed on this scheme, the need for it and the design. Read our response.
Threlkeld housing applications Expand Update 4th April 2019 We were very pleased to learn that the application for 8 houses on Blease Road, Threlkeld has now been refused on landscape and residential amenity grounds. We objected to this application on the basis of harm to landscape character and visual amenity, including cumulative impacts with other developments and conflict with local and national policy and guidance. The refusal follows a second attempt to get the scheme through. You can read our second response in full here: Second Response A resubmitted proposal for the 3 dwellings at Station Road was allowed following some revisions to the scheme. Update 17th October 2018 We recently responded to consultation on two applications for housing developments in Threlkeld. There have been several applications for housing development in Threlkeld recently and here too we feel that this represents an overdevelopment of the village. We are pleased to see that one of the proposals (the 3 dwellings at Station Road) has been withdrawn and we await news on the second proposal.September 2018 Threlkeld village has seen something of a bombardment of planning applications lately and we have key concerns about the cumulative impacts of these as well as the landscape and settlement character impacts of the individual proposals. This one concerns 8 houses at Blease Road, and 3 local needs houses at Station Road. See our response here.
Woodland proposals, Coniston Fells We have been consulted on a significant tree planting scheme on the Coniston, Dunnerdale and Seathwaite Commons as part of a Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Expand We have been consulted on a significant tree planting scheme on the Coniston, Dunnerdale and Seathwaite Commons as part of a Countryside Stewardship Scheme. At first sight these involved a huge amount of fencing to enable wood pasture creation and scrub planting. However after a site visit with Natural England and more understanding of fence locations, discussions about removal, etc, we are able to support the proposals. The scheme will only cover the proposed woodland areas and so will have minimal impacts on the cultural heritage of communal grazing and hefted flocks. The density of scrub planting is fairly low, and due to the terrain, most of the fences will be largely hidden. Most of the issues with schemes such as these are to do with the fencing, rather than the planting and the key is often to get the planting done properly, ie in clumps, avoiding the crags and sight lines of features such as crags and waterfalls, higher points, and ensuring the fencing contractor is sensitive to the landscape and does not just use as many straight lines as possible. As ever with fence proposals, we have suggested a 10 year permission to coincide with the Scheme length, and have asked for firm written agreements about who will take responsibility for the maintenance, guards and final fence removal, also that some money is being put aside to pay for eventual fence removal. This will be a condition of any agreement we may give. A month after the above, screening proposals came in for 2.4km of new fencing to enable 500ha of wood pasture creation on Blake Rigg and around Greenburn as part of a Countryside Stewardship Scheme for Tilberthwaite Farm. Alas the majority of fencing proposed is permanent and there has been little assessment of impacts on landscape and WHS Outstanding Universal Value. Whilst welcoming the wood pasture, we have raised concerns about a number of other issues.
Water Resources West : Initial Resource Position Expand Water Resources West is developing a long-term plan for water resources in the north-west of England, the Midlands and the cross-border catchments with Wales. Water Resources West (WRW) is a new partnership of UU, Severn Trent Water, South Staffs Water, and Welsh Water looking to provide strategic oversight and co-ordination of water resources matters across the river catchments of the North West of England, Midlands and the cross-border river systems with Wales. This will ensure the sustainability of water resources in these catchments. It will also support activity aimed at enabling water resource resilience across England and Wales, including promoting the development of a long-term strategic plan for water transfers as required by Govn. They have published a preliminary view of the region’s water needs and their ambitions. They estimate that by 2050 an additional 166 million litres per day will be needed for public water supplies, an additional 41 million litres per day needed for other abstractors. There are significant uncertainties in these forecasts but the ambition is to make water resources better in the future extends to wellbeing, environmental improvement, economic growth, resilience and water demand management. The document explores the challenges to address, and methods for producing a plan that meets these needs. They set out their initial resource position, the strategic context and proposed methodology. They have asked for feedback on the document. A focus of the work is increased resilience to severe drought and companies are increasingly being asked to look at water trading as a solution to this. No deficits are predicted for the UU region, but across the whole area, the largest increases by sector are predicted for agriculture. We submitted comments answering 6 questions posed. We highlighted the lack of reference to cultural heritage in the document and our concern that national water transfers may have negative impacts for the landscape in future. We reiterated that we would object to any more water being taken from Cumbria to service a national network unless all demand measures possible had been put into place and more sustainable options. We pointed to increasing tensions between reservoirs needing to be full of water to supply customers, but community groups wanting them to be drawn down to provide head room for water storage in times of high rainfall.
Whinlatter Forest Plan consultation Friends of the Lake District welcome the opportunity to comment on this third Whinlatter Forest Plan. We are particularly appreciative of a meeting held with Forestry Commission on 8th November. Expand 12th November 2018 Friends of the Lake District welcome the opportunity to comment on this third Whinlatter Forest Plan. We are particularly appreciative of a meeting held with Forestry Commission on 8th November which helped clarify certain matters. This is a huge area of upland forest with many landscape challenges. Reviewing the comments we have made to the previous plans shows that there has been considerable progress in resolving some of the issues of earlier plans. These include :- Changes to coupe shape to reduce landscape impacts, eg the reduction in skylining around Widow Hause, changing patterns on the slopes of Grisedale Pike and changes at Darling How and Hobcarton. Commitment to restore the PAWS sites with native broadleaves. Inclusion of more native woodland. There are a number of generic issues on which we have commented, plus specific comments on individual sections of the plan. See Whinlatter FDP response nov 18 (pdf) for our detailed response. Have your say The Forestry Commission is consulting on their plans for Whinlatter Forest. All their forests have woodland plans and when these are revised they are open for public consultation. This is the third plan for Whinlatter and can be viewed at: https://englandconsult.forestry.gov.uk/forest-districts/whinlatter2018 Friends of the Lake District is currently considering the plan. Our response is likely to focus on the following issues: The shape of proposed forest compartments, could they be improved to fit better in the landscape? The species mix – opportunities for more broadleaved cover to enhance the landscape? Impacts of proposals on current areas of open fell Proposals for felling and restocking Future aspirations re further visitor infrastructure and development Whether enough consideration is given to landscape character Recognition of positive impacts already achieved or planned, eg compartment shapes There is no direct reference to the gondola proposals in the plan. However, their future aspirations do refer to future developments at the site, including a new osprey viewpoint above Thornthwaite, and exploring “innovative transport solutions”. We would urge anyone who is concerned about the potential proposals to respond to the plan. Once we have written our response, we will put it on our website here. Forest Enterprise (England) is part of the Forestry Commission and manages the public forest estate in Cumbria. It is in the process of revising the Whinlatter Forest Plan which outlines how it intends to manage the woodland into the future and the plan, which is currently at a draft stage, is available for public consultation. They welcome public comments on the plan. View the plan by following the link below: https://englandconsult.forestry.gov.uk/forest-districts/whinlatter2018 Comments can be made using the online form/questionnaire in the above link. The consultation will be open from Tuesday 11th September for 28 days.
NWCC Cumbria Pylons project dropped by National Grid Expand 22 November 2018: NWCC Pylons project dropped by National GridFriends of the Lake District is pleased to see that the threat of 400kV powerlines and associated pylons through and around the Lake District National Park has at least for the moment been halted as National Grid pulls back from the North West Coast Connections project. The proposal to connect a proposed nuclear power station at Moorside on the west Cumbrian Coast was always going to prove very technically difficult and expensive for National Grid because the power cables would need to pass through or around the Lake District National Park as well as potentially causing damaging the Arnside and Silverdale and Solway Coast AONBs. We worked closely with National Grid to persuade them to protect the Lake District from damage by pylons. Whilst we were successful in encouraging National Grid to underground cables within the Lake District, they still proposed to erect 50-60m tall pylons just metres outside the National Park boundary. It is therefore a relief that the project has at least for the time being been dropped. We understand that Moorside is still on the Government’s list of proposed nuclear power plant sites, so we will obviously keep a close eye on plans for the site and 400kV grid connections. We do hope that if it comes forward again that common sense prevails and that powerlines will be kept outside of the nationally and internationally protected landscape of the Lake District. Friends of the Lake District would like to thank everyone who supported our campaigns in 2014 and 2016 including those who donated and those who took the time to write letters to National Grid. We will be keeping you informed of any further developments. 17th May 2017 National Grid NWCC Plans On Hold Yesterday we were contacted by National Grid who let us know that they are putting their work on NWCC on hold due to uncertainty over the future of the Moorside nuclear power station project. NuGEN are undertaking a "strategic review" of their project, and looking for a new funder as Toshiba are pulling their backing due to financial problems. This means that there is no current need case at the moment for a grid link. National Grid have stated: "In line with NuGen’s review, we are pausing work on our connection. This will ensure we can align our plans both for the application for consent and the development of the infrastructure itself.” You can read more about this pause here in the News and Star, and see Grid's official statement here. As yet, we don't know what this will mean for the project and its impact on the Lake District National Park, but we will obviously be keeping a close watch on what happens next. 23rd February 2017 Ofgem Consultation on the Need for North West Coast Connections Friends of the Lake District commented on a consultation from Ofgem the energy regulator which asked: "In this consultation we have set out our initial views on National Grid’s North West Coast Connections project which would connect a proposed new nuclear power station in Cumbria to the main transmission network in Great Britain. This document covers three broad assessment areas: Whether we think there is a technical need for the project. How NGET has narrowed down the option it has taken forward to its planning consultation. Whether the project, or sections of it, are suitable for competitive tender. This consultation is aimed at parties interested in our views on the first project we have assessed under both of these frameworks, including potential bidders, incumbent network operators, interested consumer groups, as well as other relevant stakeholders." Click here to see a copy of our response 6th January 2017 Friends of the Lake District made its response to the NWCC consultation. You can read it here. Click to see document Thank you to everyone who has contacted National Grid with your concerns. As of 2pm there have been more than 2270 letters written to National Grid via the website and we know of plenty more people who have written separately. Hopefully we can stop National Grid spoiling the Duddon Estuary and the Furness peninsula pictured above.
Agriculture Bill Parliamentary Briefing We welcome the Agriculture Bill which will make payments for the delivery of public goods, and cease area support payments simply for owning land. Expand 28th November 2018 Full text of our briefing and comments is available at this link:Friends of the Lake District briefing and comments Headlines Friends of the Lake District welcomes the Agriculture Bill which will make payments for the delivery of public goods, and cease area support payments simply for owning land. However, we wish to see landscape specifically listed as a public benefit and also the Bill make it a duty rather than a power to make payments for public goods (thereby ensuring it happens and not just may happen if desired). We have concerns that the Bill as drafted is not sufficiently robust to secure the desired benefits for our landscape, natural and cultural heritage (including common land), our rural and upland communities and those who live and work within them. We also welcome payments for cultural and natural heritage, providing public access and enabling young farmers, and the clarity on the length of the transition period (until 2027) giving farmers and land managers more confidence to make plans to adjust and adapt. However, it is still unclear what the overall budget will be and if there will be enough money to deliver healthy landscapes and communities. S11 of the Bill covers rural development and there are references in the policy statement to the value of traditional farming in upland areas, but it is not clear how these areas will be supported.
MOD Warcop Common Inquiry We are shocked and saddened for the precedent that this recommendation sets for the future of all of our common land. Expand 6th December 2018 At Cumbria County Council's Development Committee Meeting held on December 6th in Kendal, 11 members voted in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention to accept the Inspectors report and recommendation. The outcome of the Inquiry and this decision are hugely important. Not just because these commons represent 1% of our stock of common land in England - 3,200ha will now be deregistered - but because of the precedent that this sets for all of our common land. 3rd December 2018 Cumbria County Council is likely to agree to the Ministry of Defence’s application to deregister Hilton, Murton and Warcop Commons at its Development Committee Meeting on December 6th in Kendal, despite the MoD’s previous undertaking that they would never seek to do so. This undertaking was given at an inquiry in 2001 into the MoD’s request to compulsory purchase all the common rights on Warcop, Hilton and Murton Commons. This move was to allow them more flexibility in their training and to intensify their use of the land. The Inspector appointed to conduct a recent inquiry held by Cumbria County Council into the MOD’s applications to deregister these Commons has recommended in favour of the MOD. Jan Darrall, Policy Officer, “We are shocked and saddened for the precedent that this recommendation sets and for the future of all of our common land. We are deeply concerned about the outlook for Warcop, Hilton and Murton commons as there will now be very few restraints on the MOD there. “The inquiry was complex but the consequences of deregistration are simple enough and illustrate why we have fought so hard to oppose this application. Access: The three commons of Warcop, Hilton and Murton amount to 3% of Cumbria’s common land. A decision to deregister these commons puts their cultural heritage at risk and gives the MOD discretion to deny local use. We believe that our rich common land should remain for all to enjoy. Protection: The land will lose protection against encroachment and development since works on common land require the consent of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in addition to any planning permission. Heritage: It will bring to an end hundreds of years of tradition of upland communing. The farming community, which used to have vital grazing rights over this land, will now be denied any opportunity in future to graze their stock there.” The application will be presented to the Development Control and Regulation Committee on Thursday 6th December for consideration, but opponents expect the Committee to adopt the Inspector’s recommendation to remove common land status from the historic commons of Warcop, Hilton and Murton (a small area of Murton Common called ‘Area Victor’ will be excluded from the Committee’s decision on 6th December and will retain its common land status). Cumbria County Council as Commons Registration appointed Alan Evans from Kings Chambers, Leeds to conduct the Inquiry. The MoD, led by QC David Elvin had a six strong team. The lead opponents were the Open Spaces Society who appointed QC George Laurence. Other objectors included ourselves, Foundation for Common Land, Federation of Cumbrian Commoners, Hilton Commoners Association and Murton Parish Council. 18th October 2018: Inquiry to reconvene on 30th October 2018 The Warcop Inquiry reconvenes on 30th October for four days. This is to discuss the second issue, namely are the Warcop commons still waste of the lord of the manor? The MOD are arguing that they are not. We, together with partners the Open Spaces Society, the Foundation for Common Land, and the Hilton Commoners are arguing they are no different in character to most of our upland commons and remain waste of the lord of the manor. Proof follows: Further evidence of the Friends of the Lake District in relation to the issue of Waste of Lord of the Manor (pdf) 8th October 2018: Online Petition 'Prevent the MOD removing Cumbria fells from the Commons Register'. Despite an undertaking by the Secretary of State, made after a public enquiry in 2001, that the fells would remain on the Commons Register in perpetuity. The MOD are attempting the biggest LAND GRAB of common land since the 1800's. The Fells in question, Murton Fell CL76, Hilton Fell CL27 and Burton and Warcop Fell CL122 form part of the Warcop MOD training area. In 2003 the MOD purchased the grazing rights from the commoners. Part of the agreement reached was that the fells would remain on the Commons Register. Now they have cancelled that part of the agreement. Our argument is that it is not legally possible to cancel part of a multiparty agreement, without the other parties consenting, which they do not. Sign this petition> Warcop Common update 25 Sept 2018In 2001 an inquiry was held into the desire of the Ministry of Defence (M0D) to compulsory purchase all the common rights on Warcop, Hilton and Murton Commons to enable them to have more flexibility in their training and intensify use. The MoD also gave an undertaking that they would never seek to deregister the land as common land. That is exactly what they are now trying to do and something we, and other partners strongly oppose.Cumbria County Council as Commons Registration Authority held a Public Inquiry to consider the applications in early September. They appointed Alan Evans from Kings Chambers, Leeds to conduct the Inquiry. The MoD, led by QC David Elvin had a six strong team. The lead opponents were the Open Spaces Society who appointed QC George Laurence. Other objectors included ourselves, Foundation for Common Land, Federation of Cumbrian Commoners, Hilton Commoners Association and Murton Parish Council. You can read our skeleton argument below: We are strongly opposed to this huge area being lost as common land.This is a very complex and legal issue. The Inspector can only hear arguments that are relevant to the legislation under which CCC have to determine the applications. So although many of us feel the MoD are going back on their previous undertakings and this is causing a lack of trust, etc, he cannot take account of these arguments. He was however very generous in that he was willing to listen to all evidence, even if he could only take account of some of it!The Inquiry focused on two key issues. Firstly the legal ‘power’ issue. Does the legislation give the MoD the power to make this application given the nature of the vesting deed which was to extinguish rights (not purchase the soil). The MoD are saying that because all the commons rights were extinguished by a Vesting deed on 31st March 2003 the land then ceased to be common land and they want it to be removed from the Register. The Open Spaces Society, ourselves and others argue that the Vesting Deed only related to the extinguishment of the rights and nothing else, certainly nothing pertaining to the land and therefore the applications should fail.However, if the MoD win their argument, another issue comes into play and that is whether the land remains waste of the Lord of the Manor. For land to be deregistered it must both have no rights of common and no longer be waste of the manor (unoccupied, open and uncultivated).The Inquiry will reconvene on the 30th October to consider the Waste of the Manor Issue. We are now working hard with partners to gather our evidence together on this issue.The Inspector will make his recommendations to Cumbria County Council, who need to make a decision before 14th December 2018 when the four year "transitional period" for updating the registers ends.The Inquiry has had significant press coverage in both national papers and on the television. Update 23 August 2018Cumbria County Council has announced a two day public inquiry into the applications by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to deregister Hilton, Murton and Warcop Commons, near Appleby in Westmorland. These commons represent 3% of the stock of common land in England. 15 years ago the MoD applied to extinguish the common rights over the land to give them more control and flexibility. At that time, they stated categorically that they would not apply to deregister the land as common land. This is now precisely what they have done, with little or no evidence as to why. The applications are strongly opposed by ourselves, the Open Spaces Society (OSS), the Foundation for Common Land, the Federation of Cumbrian Commoners, and the local residents. The inquiry will take place on 12 – 13 September and will be Barrister led. It will only focus on the legal issues surrounding the applications. This is very complex and the OSS has engaged their own Barrister to present their case which we support. There are issues of principle at stake here, namely the fact that the applications are completely at odds with Government policy on common land, that the MoD expressly undertook not to deregister the commons, and also that we believe the applications do not meet the legislative requirements. Read more MOD proposal to deregister Warcop, Hilton, Murton and Burton commons Cumbria Commons face biggest threat since Enclosure movement
Biodiversity Net Gain Consultation Read our response to the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, which promises that any development taking place would provide an environmental net gain in order to try and address the loss of wildlife in England. Expand The Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan published last year promised that any development taking place would provide an environmental net gain in order to try and address the loss of wildlife in England. To proceed towards this aim, the government recently consulted on applying biodiversity net gain to the planning process. The Government states in the consultation that: An effective net gain policy could enable us to build the houses, commercial premises and local infrastructure we need and at the same time improve our environment by more than compensating for biodiversity loss where it cannot be avoided or mitigated. In theory, this looks like it could be a really great policy, but in practise there are a number of issues that we have concerns about. Firstly, some habitats are just irreplaceable because of their complexity, the length of time taken to establish or due to changed climatic conditions. This group of habitats includes ancient woodland, limestone pavement, sand dunes and heathland. We are concerned that developers will be able to develop these sites using net gain as a convenient excuse to do so. Secondly, habitats sit within a specific place in the landscape because of the underlying conditions geology, soil, rainfall and aspect provide. Habitats need to be understood within their landscape context, where they are part of the landscape fabric which helps local ecosystems to function and species to move through it. Net gain appears to forget this fact, and the consultation talks about biodiversity “units” or “credits” as if it were possible to just move an area of habitat from one place to another with no ill effects. Thirdly, there is a grave concern that there won’t be adequate resources provided to local authorities and Natural England to oversee any scheme. With no oversight of the scheme, developers won’t be held to account, and species will be lost and habitats will be replaced with inferior, less biodiverse wildlife. Fourthly, we are very surprised that the Government is only supporting biodiversity net grain rather than environmental net gain such as enhancing tranquillity, reducing flood risk, carbon sequestration, and access improvements. We consider that this is a missed opportunity on the basis that enhancing biodiversity in many cases also works towards other net gains, such as tree planting increasing carbon sequestration, and reinstating water meadows helping with flood risk reduction. We, along with a number of other organisations (including CPRE) have provided detailed responses to this consultation. You can read ours here.
Conservation Covenants Defra recently consulted upon proposals to establish conservation covenants. These would enable landowners and managers to enter into long term covenants to deliver a range of conservation and environmental benefits. Read our response to the consultation. Expand 21st March 2019 Defra recently consulted upon proposals to establish conservation covenants. These would enable landowners and managers to enter into long term covenants to deliver a range of conservation and environmental benefits. Overview 1. Leaving our environment in a better state than we found it for future generations to enjoy requires long-term investment and stability. Where land owners seek to secure positive environmental outcomes they have no adequate mechanism to secure those benefits over the long term. We need a new legal tool – conservation covenants. 2. A conservation covenant is a private, voluntary agreement between a landowner and a “responsible” body, such as a conservation charity, government body or a local authority. It delivers lasting conservation benefit for the public good. A covenant sets out obligations in respect of the land which will be legally binding not only on the landowner but on subsequent owners of the land. Consultation description We want to know what you think about our plans to introduce legislation for conservation covenants in England. Conservation covenants would allow landowners to set legally binding obligations on their land for themselves and subsequent owners. This will allow landowners to secure environmental benefits for the long term. In particular, we want to hear what you think about the: 1. demand and potential for conservation covenants to secure lasting conservation for the public good 2. safeguards 3. Law Commission proposals, with our proposed amendments View a copy of Friends of the Lake District's submission to this consultation, submitted 21st March 2019 More information about the consultation is available on the DEFRA website at: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-management/conservation-covenants/
Windermere Ferry Price increase We are dismayed that Cumbria County Council has increased fares for foot passengers and cyclists by 100% on the Windermere Ferry, while fares for cars and trailers or caravans have only increased by 12%. Expand We are dismayed that Cumbria County Council has increased the fares for foot passengers and cyclists by 100% on the Windermere Ferry, while the fares for cars and car plus trailer or caravan have only increased by 12%. In a time of increasing awareness of the perils of climate change and the pollution caused by vehicles, we think they should encouraging sustainable forms of transport such as walking and cycling not financially favouring cars.The new fares will make it more expensive for a group of three cyclists to use the ferry than it would to take their car across the lake with the bikes attached to the back. A family of five may as well take their car on the ferry rather than travel as pedestrians as the cost will be the same.This decision to significantly increase prices for cyclists and pedestrians is likely to mean more cars on the narrow, winding roads on the west shores of Windermere; an area really not capable of accommodating an increase in vehicular traffic. At a time when two of the local authorities in Cumbria have declared Climate Emergency, if Cumbria County Council was seriously committed to reducing climate change impacts, it would ensure that travelling by foot or bike on the Windermere Ferry was less expensive than by car. We urge the County Council to reconsider the price rises for pedestrians and cyclists in order to make these sustainable travel modes more attractive to visitors to the Lake District. Read our letter to Cumbria Council here Old prices: New prices:
New road A66 consultation Highways England is currently carrying out a public consultation about making the A66 between Penrith and Scotch Corner a dual carriageway. The consultation closes on 11th July. Expand 11th July 2019 We have today submitted our full written response to the A66 Northern Trans Pennine Upgrade Consultation. We have summarised some of our key points below. Our full written response to the consultation can be viewed by clicking on the image below. Friends of the Lake District (FLD) is concerned that upgrading the A66 to a dual carriageway for its entire length from Penrith to Scotch Corner will make it more difficult to secure a sustainable future for Cumbria’s landscapes. In addition to potential landscape damage, research shows that the scheme will almost certainly cause ‘induced traffic’ (additional traffic generated by the road scheme itself)1 and increase traffic speeds. Friends of the Lake District recognises there are black spots where collisions occur on the A66 but we believe these can be addressed by local safety measures and junction realignment and reconfiguration rather than by dualling the whole length of the road. We are concerned that this possibility has not been considered, as it is not on the list of options looked at and discounted. The consultation document is very brief for a project of this size. It makes many assertions not supported by accompanying evidence. We therefore have a number of queries concerning some of the claims made in the document. These include: A statement of case for why this road upgrade is actually needed. Whether a cost-benefit analysis has been carried out looking at junction upgrades for safety reasons, but no dualling. A list of benefits and whether they will outweigh the environmental costs (including increased greenhouse gas emissions) How certain are Highways England that the proposed road scheme will not produce induced traffic; and How the scheme fits with a net zero carbon UK by 2050. As Friends of the Lake District is CPRE’s representative in Cumbria, our area of interest stretches to the boundary of the County, and we will not comment on the proposed upgrade outside of Cumbria. 30th April 2019 Highways England is carrying out a public consultation about making the A66 between Penrith and Scotch Corner a dual carriageway. The consultation closes on 11th July. These proposals involve widening some sections of the A66 which are currently single carriageway, and in other places such as Kirkby Thore, completely rerouting the road. The consultation can be found online at https://highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/cip/a66-northern-trans-pennine/ If you'd like to respond to the consultation, and would like a guide as to what to say, these are the key points we will be making: Friends of the Lake District does not consider that upgrading the A66 to a dual carriageway for its entire length from Penrith to Scotch Corner is in line with the actions needed to secure a sustainable future for Cumbria’s landscapes. There would be significant damaging impacts to the landscape and environment of Cumbria and the North Pennines. This damage includes harm to protected landscapes; loss of habitats, flora and fauna; increases in noise, light and air pollution and issues with flooding and run-off. In addition, more traffic using the road and increased traffic speeds will increase the emissions of greenhouse gases from traffic, contributing to the climate emergency which the UK Government has pledged to address by reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. Studies carried out over many years have demonstrated that building new roads, widening roads or upgrading roads to dual carriageway induces additional road use by bringing more vehicles onto the road that wouldn’t have otherwise used it. Any respite from congestion provided by a new or widened road is temporary, before the cycle starts again. Provision of more road capacity does not deliver a stable situation: the more capacity is increased, the more capacity increases are ‘needed’. (https://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/transport/roads/item/4543-the-end-of-the-road-challenging-the-road-building-consensus) We consider that safety on the A66 could be significantly improved without making it dual carriageway by, for example, imposing lower speed limits on the most dangerous stretches of the road, including using average speed cameras to enforce the limits. Along with speed reduction, safety could be improved by the addition of features such as underpasses or bridges to replace farm crossings so that farm traffic no longer has to cross the road (in particular the provision of a bridge across the road at Kirkby Thore to enable HGV traffic from the British Gypsum Works to travel west on the A66). Acceleration and deceleration lanes, coupled with underpasses or bridges to remove the need for vehicles to turn right across the carriageway would also significantly reduce risk of accidents at those junctions most at risk. The stretch of road put forward for dualling from Appleby to Brough runs along the southern boundary of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Government's National Networks National Policy Statement says this about road building in protected landscapes: ‘There is a strong presumption against any significant road widening or the building of new roads and strategic rail freight interchanges in a National Park, the Broads and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, unless it can be shown there are compelling reasons for the new or enhanced capacity and with any benefits outweighing the costs very significantly. Planning of the Strategic Road Network should encourage routes that avoid National Parks, the Broads and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.’
National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure 10th December 2018: We have today submitted our response to the Consultation on the draft National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure. Expand 10th December 2018 We have today submitted our response to the Consultation on the draft National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure. Details of the consultation are below, followed by the main points of our response. To view or download our full response, use the link at the bottom of this item. Details of Consultation Update 6 – Consultation on the draft National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure begins We have today published our consultation on the draft National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure (NPS). All consultation documents are available from our Citizen Space website here: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/water/draft-national-policy-statement/. The consultation will close on Thursday 31 January 2019 at midnight. We would like your views on whether the draft NPS provides an appropriate and effective framework for the Examining Authority (the Planning Inspectorate) and the Secretary of State to examine and make decisions on development consent order applications for nationally significant water resources infrastructure projects in England. We would also like your views on the Assessment of Sustainability and Habitats Regulations Assessments that accompany the NPS. The types of infrastructure that the NPS will specifically apply to are reservoirs, water transfer and desalination projects. The Planning Act 2008 will be amended shortly to this effect and the Citizen Space website will include an update when this occurs. You can respond to this consultation by submitting your responses via the online survey at Citizen Space, by emailing the team or by post. Friends of the Lake District Response to Consultation Section 1: The draft NPS 1 Do you think the draft NPS sets out a clear need for nationally significant water resources infrastructure? Please provide reasons to support your answer. Our Response: We remain disappointed that the NPS does not provide a clear linking mechanism which requires water companies to prove they have significantly reduced water usage and leakage before they seek major additional infrastructure. We would urge that the ability to do this is looked at again. We reiterate our comments made in a previous consultation: Need is not static, it changes all the time. The WRMP are the documents which assess any potential deficit in demand and propose solutions. They operate on a 25 year timescale but are revised every 5 years. It appears rather strange therefore that there seems to be no parallel review of the NPS proposed. We may therefore end up with a situation where the need in WRMP is up to date, but is being assessed against out of date need identification in the NPS. How is this going to be resolved? 2 Do you think the draft NPS makes clear for water undertakers, the Examining Authority and the Secretary of State, the relationship between water resources management planning and applying for nationally significant infrastructure project development consent? Please provide reasons to support your answer. Our Response: We welcome the statement in para 4.9.10 that “The Secretary of State should refuse development consent in these areas except in exceptional circumstances and where it can be demonstrated that the development is in the public interest”. However, we feel that this presumption should be reflected by the designated landscapes being exempt from the NSIP process and that for these areas, such plans should be determined by local planning mechanisms as per current arrangements. 3 Are the assessment criteria included in the draft NPS appropriate? Please tell us your views, including any further relevant criteria you can identify. Our Response: We welcome the inclusion of many of our comments in previous consultations, particularly those relating to landscape, access, tranquillity, etc. 5 Do you have any other comments on the draft NPS which are not covered by the previous questions? Our Response: We remain horrified that Table 2.1 in the Appraisal of Sustainability Report refers to the potential Borrowbeck Reservoir. It is bizarre that the WRMP are required to show all options considered even if they are financially, environmentally and socially unacceptable. This is the case with the current United Utilities WRMP in that it identifies a potential reservoir at Borrowbeck. This is in a nationally designated landscape and would be totally unacceptable in landscape and environmental terms, yet has to be put in the plan. This is frankly ridiculous given stakeholder and company feedback. It is even more disconcerting that it is referred to as a feasible option when para 4.9.10 states such schemes will not normally be approved in designated landscapes. They may be feasible in building terms but never in landscape or environmental terms. The WRMP guidance needs to be reconsidered to remove schemes that will never be environmentally and socially acceptable, and the terminology in the NPS refined to use appropriate and not feasible. Section 2: Appraisal of Sustainability (AoS) and Habitats Regulations Assessment 7 Do you agree with the conclusions of the Appraisal of Sustainability Report and the recommendations for enhancing positive effects associated with the implementation of the draft NPS? If not, what do you think should be the key recommendations and why? Our Response: We do not agree with the conclusions re landscape, namely that the implementation of the draft NPS is likely “to result in a positive effect in respect of conserving and enhancing our landscapes and townscapes”. We do not see how this conclusion can be reached where there are no details of any schemes available. It put a significant emphasis on potential enhancement of schemes but does not specify what this may be. Reservoirs it is acknowledged are likely to be on greenfield, not brownfield sites and as such will have a significant change in landscape character. Water transfer schemes may be underground but there will be a requirement for the area of ground above any pipes not to be planted with trees or have walls across them. So, quite apart from physical infrastructure impacts such as buildings, we consider that it is impossible to say that there will automatically be a positive landscape impact. At best the assessment must be unknown until detailed plans are available for schemes. 8 Do you agree with the proposed arrangements for monitoring the significant effects of the implementation of the draft NPS? If not, what measures do you propose? Our Response: There appear to be no proposals for monitoring landscape or cultural heritage. Tables 4 and 6.1 in the Appraisal of Sustainability include no indicators for either of these subject areas. On that basis, no we do not agree with the proposed arrangements for monitoring. A baseline needs to be established based on the most detailed landscape character assessments done, and if there are none, then a baseline LCA and associated monitoring framework should be established as part of the process. Read / download our full response at this link (pdf)
Kendal Flood Defence Scheme Expand Kendal Flood Defence Scheme - We attended a consultation drop-in event on 17th October and have requested a meeting with the Environment Agency to get a better understanding of the proposals, which will affect the Kent catchment including Burneside, Staveley and Kentmere as well as Kendal itself.
Aerial Flight at Honister Slate Mine We received the disappointing news that the Secretary of State will not ‘call in’ the proposed zip-wires at Honister and so the Authority’s approval stands. The Secretary of State is no longer required to give reasons for his decision. Expand Update 25th July 2019 In November 2018, the Lake District National Park Authority decided to approve an application for a Dual Purpose Aerial Wire at Honister Slate Mine. We were concerned by the basis for their decision to approve, and requested that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government ‘call in’ this application. The Lake District National Park Authority agreed not to issue their decision notice on the Honister Zip Wire until the Secretary of State decided whether or not he would ‘call-in’ the application for his approval or refusal. We received the disappointing news yesterday that the Secretary of State will not ‘call in’ the proposed zip-wires at Honister and so the Authority’s approval stands. The Secretary of State is no longer required to give reasons for his decision. Update 4th December 2018 We have been assured by the National Planning Casework Unit that the Lake District National Park Authority has agreed not to issue their decision notice on the Honister Zip Wire until the Secretary of State has confirmed whether or not he will call-in the application. 15th November 2018 Friends of the Lake District is concerned about the basis for the decision to approve an application for a Dual Purpose Aerial Wire at Honister Slate Mine, and has requested that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government “calls in” this application. This means we have asked that the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) is prevented from granting permission and for the application to be determined instead by the Secretary of State. We have done this because we believe the decision was contrary to legislation relating to National Parks and to national and local planning policy. The Sandford Principle requires that in National Parks, where there is a conflict between economic and landscape interests, the requirement to conserve and enhance the landscape must be given greater weight. In coming to their decision, the LDNPA gave significant weight to the economic benefits of the proposal, but limited value was placed on the non-visual aspects of landscape character. The decision was contrary to both the Authority’s own officer recommendations and Natural England’s objection on landscape impact grounds. The application has also been determined before a legally required assessment of the proposal’s impact on sites of international biodiversity importance has been concluded. We await the Secretary of State’s decision on whether or not the application will be called-in. If he agrees to call-in the case, he will also confirm that an inquiry will be held and the decision will be reviewed by a Planning Inspector. If he decides not to call it in, we will work with other interested organisations to consider whether any other action can be taken. Cumbria Wildlife Trust, ZipOff, the Open Spaces Society and CPRE all support our view and have also asked for the decision to be called in. Image credit: Ben Barden, Cumbria Photos 7th November 2018 Planning Application: Aerial Flight at Honister Slate Mine - APPROVED Friends of the Lake District considers there to be little justification for the Lake District National Park Authority Members ignoring the advice of its Planning Officer and agreeing to this development. We consider this to be a highly sensitive location and that this development will have a detrimental impact on the landscape character, tranquillity and biodiversity of the area. Both lines are intended to be used for the movement of stone and the shorter line is to be accessible for all including those who may not be able to access the full via ferrata. The applicant contends that the new uses outweigh the detrimental impacts of the proposal. Whilst the two proposed new uses of the wire are commendable in terms of supporting the existing business use of the site and providing a new experience in the Lake District which is accessible for all, in our opinion, they do not outweigh the detrimental impacts of the scheme. We consider the zip wire to be an inappropriate addition to the offering which will result in unacceptable detrimental landscape impacts. Our main concerns are: The conflicts with the National Park purposes The landscape and visual impacts of the development in this high fell landscape Impacts upon tranquillity by means of incongruous noise and movement at the site Transport impacts on the local road network Potential impacts upon open access land. Additionally, we feel that the application failed to provide sufficient information regarding the potential number of users, particularly on the additional shorter line. Whilst the capacity of the ‘main’ line is limited by the numbers of people completing the via ferrata there will be no such restriction on the shorter line and it is likely to become a popular attraction in its own right. The application did not address this issue and we are now concerned that this development will intensify the tourism and recreation activity on the site and create additional noise and traffic impacts. We also have major concerns relating to the potential for adverse impacts on international biodiversity designations; concerns shared by Natural England in its response to this application. 17th October 2018 Honister – decision to be made on 7th November. We have submitted a response to the recent extra consultation on the application, making clear that our concerns about the impacts on the landscape, tranquillity and biodiversity of the area remain. This is despite additional information being provided by the applicant that did clarify some of the queries we had raised in our earlier objection. We are pleased to see that Natural England has also responded to this extra consultation and that they share our concerns relating to the potential impact on international biodiversity designations. 13th September 2018 A further consultation is underway on proposals for a zip-wire at Honister Slate Mine. The proposals were submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority in January, but following comments received during consultation, the applicants were asked to provide further details of their plans. Now that this extra information has been received, people are being given a further chance to comment. Friends of the Lake District objected to the proposals due to impacts on landscape character, visual amenity and the tranquillity of the area and will be commenting again at this stage. The application can be viewed on www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/planningsearch The reference number is 7/2018/2011. The consultation closes on 8 October 2018 and comments can be made by emailing [email protected] or by writing to Lake District National Park Authority, Murley Moss, Kendal, LA9 7RL. It is expected that a decision on the proposals will be made at the Lake District National Park Authority’s Development Control Committee meeting on 7 November 2018. you'll find more detailed instructions on how to submit your own comments here> 13th March 2018 Written response submitted to the planning authority by Friends of the Lake District We have now written and submitted a full response to the planning authority which is now available to view / download at the link below: 7 2018 2011 Honister Zip Wire application FLD response.pdf 23rd February 2018 Planning Update: Honister Aerial Flight As you may be aware, another application has been submitted by Honister Slate Mine for an aerial flight (zip wire). Whilst the line of the wire remains the same as the 2012 application (7/2012/2243) the applicant considers the proposal to be different from previous applications because: The wire would be dual purpose and used to transport slate from the mine opening The secondary shorter line at the intermediate point will be accessible for all enabling disabled users and younger children to participate in the zip wire attraction. We recognise that both of these added uses are commendable in terms of supporting the existing business use of the site and providing a new experience in the Lake District which is accessible for all. However, we do not consider that these additional uses outweigh the detrimental impacts of the proposal which have previously resulted in the application being refused.We have carefully assessed the proposals, visited the site and, as an organisation which advocates for the landscape, we have taken the decision to object to the submitted proposals.Our main concerns are: The conflicts with the National Park purposes The landscape and visual impacts of the development in this high fell landscape Impacts upon tranquillity by means of incongruous noise and movement at the site Transport impacts on the local road network Potential impacts upon open access land. We consider that the application does not provide sufficient information regarding the potential number of users, particularly on the additional shorter line. Whilst the capacity of the ‘main’ line is limited by the numbers of people completing the via ferrata there would be no such restriction on the shorter line and it is likely to become a popular attraction in its own right.The application does not address this issue and we are concerned that this would intensify the tourism and recreation activity on the site and create additional noise and traffic impacts.Whilst we commend Honister Slate Mine for their diversification at the site, including the mine tours and via ferrata, we consider that the zip wire is an inappropriate addition to the offering which will result in unacceptable detrimental landscape impacts.From previous applications, we expect and respect that not everyone may agree with our position. Although we object as an organisation, we are encouraging our membership, and members of the public, to engage in the planning process whatever their view.The best way to make your voice heard is to write to the Lake District National Park Authority (the planning authority) with your views on the application. Anyone can make comments on a planning application regardless of where you live, and whether you are objecting to or supporting the proposal.You should email any comments to [email protected] and include Planning Reference Number 7/2018/2011 in your correspondence. The closing date for comments is 26th March 2018. You can also write to the planning authority. We've included some additional notes in the link below which also includes instructions for viewing or downloading this planning application. Additional Guidance on submitting comments to the Planning Authority>And finally, we will be making our full written response available online once it has been submitted to the planning authority.26th January 2018 We have been made aware that the planning proposal detailed below is now live and available to view online at the LDNPA planning portal. Planning Reference: 7/2018/2011 (Full Planning application) Proposal: Dual purpose aerial wire for extraction of stone and tourism use Location: Honister Slate Mine, Honister Pass, Borrowdale, Keswick, CA12 5XN View the application We have been invited to consult on the application and now that we are in receipt, we will be assessing as soon as possible. We will not be commenting on the application until we have thoroughly read and assessed the proposal. We have engaged with the applicants when they have requested and we will be interested to see if our advice has been incorporated into the development of the proposals. 12th January 2018 We are aware that Honister Slate Mine has submitted an application for a new zip wire. We will assess the proposal fully once sumbission has been processed and application is made available for download by the planning authority. 26th April 2017 We are aware that Honister Slate Mine is progressing an application for a new zip wire due to be submitted imminently . We have had pre application discussions with the applicants and their agent. We will assess the proposal fully once submitted. Given the likely interest in this proposal we intend to make our response available on this website page at the earliest opportunity.
Borwick Fold Appeal Decision We are very pleased to report that an Inspector has upheld the Lake District National Park Authority’s decision to refuse permission to develop a fish-farming facility at Borwick Fold Tarn, just north of Crook. Expand We are very pleased to report that an Inspector has upheld the Lake District National Park Authority’s (LDNPA’s) decision to refuse permission to develop a fish-farming facility at Borwick Fold Tarn, just north of Crook. Two iterations of the proposal were refused by the LDNPA. We challenged the proposal on both occasions and supported concerned local residents to do the same. The Inspector concluded that the proposal would negatively affect the character and appearance of the landscape and cause harm to the World Heritage Site, and that as a result, it was in conflict with several Local Plan policies. The full wording of the appeal decision is available on the LDNPA's website at:https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/1872449/2020_03_04-Appeal-decision-letters.pdf
Penrith Masterplan Expand 14th November 2018 Press Release issued today: Penrith Masterplan Concerns The Penrith Strategic Masterplan covering Penrith and land to the east of the town proposes three new villages, 5,560 houses, new jobs, town centre improvements and upgrades to local road infrastructure. Following the conclusion of an eight week public engagement process, Eden District Council’s ‘Beacon Villages’ website, which provides information about the masterplan, states that its intention will now be to prepare a report to go before Council Members in December 2018 which will include an overview of the engagement process and outline the next steps and timescales for taking forward a formal review of the Eden Local Plan next year. Local residents in the Penrith area have expressed concerns to landscape charity, Friends of the Lake District about the proposals including whether this scale of development is needed and negative impacts on the local landscape and infrastructure. In its own response to the consultation, Friends of the Lake District has focussed on similar concerns to those raised by residents and drawn attention to the cumulative impact of the proposals when viewed in conjunction with ‘garden village’ plans for 10,000 houses south of Carlisle and the emerging Eden Local Plan document, which itself proposes significant development. Lorayne Wall, Planning Officer at Friends of the Lake District, “We have concerns about the limited extent to which the impact of the proposals on the landscape has been assessed, but we also have significant concerns about the process that has been used to promote and develop the Masterplan document. “It is not clear for example how the ‘preferred option’ for the future of the area has been reached, what other options were considered and why they were excluded. Other concerns include that the current and proposed future status of the Masterplan is also unclear and no assessment has been made of the cumulative impacts of this scale of development taking place alongside other plans for significant development such as Carlisle’s ‘garden village’, A66 upgrades and development proposed in the Eden and other authorities’ Local Plans. “We have been working closely with members of the local community and it’s great to see so many of them getting involved and ensuring that they get their say in the future of their town and the wider Eden valley. We’ll continue our work with them to ensure that our shared concerns are taken on board.” To find out more about the Masterplan, including details of several upcoming consultation events and how to comment, visit http://beaconvillages.co.uk/ Update 17 October 2018 Penrith Masterplan – We attended a consultation drop-in event on 17th October and are preparing a response to the proposals for over 5000 houses to the east of Penrith. The deadline is 2nd November. Eden District Council is consulting on a Masterplan covering Penrith and land to the east of the town, including the Beacon Hill. The Masterplan proposes three new villages, 5,560 houses, new jobs, town centre improvements and upgrades to local road infrastructure. Local residents in the Penrith area have expressed concerns to Friends of the Lake District about the proposals including whether this scale of development is needed and negative impacts on the local landscape and infrastructure. A local campaign group called ‘Keep Penrith Special’ has formed. We will be reviewing the Masterplan and preparing a response to the consultation, which ends on 2nd November. Our response is likely to focus on similar issues to those raised by local people, as well as on the cumulative effects of the proposals with ‘garden village’ plans for 10,000 houses south of Carlisle and the emerging Eden Local Plan document, which itself proposes significant development. People can view the Masterplan and find out more, including details of several upcoming consultation events and how to comment, at http://beaconvillages.co.uk/
Energy proposals at Old Hutton Expand 6th November 2018 A proposal for a new gas-fired power station in open countryside near Old Hutton, three miles from Kendal was turned down by planning committee for a second time this year on Friday 2nd November, by a whisker. Thirty eight members of the public, joined landscape conservation charity Friends of the Lake District’s planning officer Lorayne Wall to speak against the proposal at the planning committee meeting. South Lakeland District Council had recommended it for approval, despite significant objections from local residents. Members of the planning committee voted 5 votes to 5, with one abstention and the chair having the casting vote, voted against accepting the application. A proposal for a larger power station and battery storage facility on the site of an existing electrical substation was turned down in January this year. The application covered an area of just over three hectares of land, in open countryside close to Old Hutton village, and would have roughly doubled the size of the existing electricity substation there. Many in local communities have campaigned against the proposals since their original submission in May 2017. The original application, for a 49.99MW battery storage facility and a 49.99MW gas fired electricity generation station on land to the north of the Old Hutton Substation, was turned down by planners in January this year. This new application for a gas fired power station at the site is without the battery storage facility this time.Friends of the Lake District objected to the two original schemes and also objected to the recent proposal, on the same grounds as our earlier objection, on the basis of landscape and visual impacts in a rural agricultural landscape, transport impacts on the local rural roads, including through nearby villages and hamlets, and the removal of diverse hedgerow and trees to enable access. Read more about this and our response here. Lorayne Wall, Friends of the Lake District’s planning officer, said: “We were pleased that proposals for a gas-fired power station in open countryside near Old Hutton were rejected for the second time this year on Friday. This was due in no small part to almost 40 local community members, along with MP Tim Farron and the Leader of South Lakeland District Council, Giles Archibald, who all spoke strongly against the proposal at planning committee.” Update 31st October 2018 South Lakeland District Council has recommended the proposal for a gas fired power station at Old Hutton for APPROVAL. We will be appearing at the planning committee meeting on Friday 2nd November to present our objections to the proposal. Update 13th July 2018 Gas fired power station at Old Hutton resubmitted The applicant has lodged a new application for a gas fired power station at the site. It is a resubmission and replaces the two earlier applications, for a gas fired electricity generating station and a battery storage facility that were rejected in January. This time the new application is for a 49.99W gas fired power station on the site (no battery storage facility). Friends of the Lake District objected to the two original schemes and also object to the current proposal, on the same grounds as our earlier objection, on the basis of landscape and visual impacts in a rural agricultural landscape, transport impacts on the local rural roads, including through nearby villages and hamlets, and the removal of diverse hedgerow and trees to enable access. View our response here. You can view the proposal on the South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) website here by searching on reference SL/2018/0388. You can also arrange to view the applications at the SLDC offices in Kendal. You can respond to this application by submitting comments via the SLDC website, or by email, send your comments to [email protected] OR write to: Development Management Group Manager South Lakeland House Lowther Street Kendal LA9 4DL You must quote the reference SL/2018/0388 in your correspondence. The official deadline for making comments has now passed, (20th July) but you can still send comments in until the planning committee meeting at which the decision will be made. There is currently no date for this yet. Our response to the previous applications can be read here. Update 5th January 2018 South Lakeland District Council Planning Committee has rejected two applications for a 49.99MW Battery storage facility and a 49.99MW gas fired electricity generation station on land to the north of the Old Hutton Substation. Read our full press release Update 11th October 2017 We expected this application would go to Committee in late September. However, there has been an ongoing dialogue between South Lakeland District Council and the Planning Inspectorate as to whether or not the two applications should be determined by the council or under the NSIP (Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project) process by the Planning Inspectorate, given both are marginally under the 50MW threshold but cumulatively are far above that threshold. An extension of time, until 5th January 2018, to determine the applicant has been agreed. Update 27th June 2017 Application SL/2017/0425 comprising of the Installation of a 49.99 MW battery storage facility with associated equipment, and application SL/2017/0426 comprising of the installation of gas fired electricity generating station. You can still respond to these applications by submitting comments via the South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) website. The application reference numbers are: SL/2017/0425 and SL/2017/0426 and can be accessed via these links or by searching on the SLDC website. You can also arrange to view the applications at the SLDC offices in Kendal. Update 14th June 2017 Application SL/2017/0425 comprising of the Installation of a 49.99 MW battery storage facility with associated equipment, and application SL/2017/0426 comprising of the installation of gas fired electricity generating station. Friends of the Lake District have assessed the above proposals and objected to both on the basis of landscape and visual impacts, both individually and cumulatively, transport impacts and the removal of diverse hedgerow to enable access. We do not consider that the applications have fully assessed the impacts of these proposals and they do not provide sufficient evidence to substantiate the arguments for the proposals. Our full response can be read here. 16th May 2017 We are aware that two planning applications have been submitted to South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) for significant energy related infrastructure on land at Greenmoor Bank, Old Hutton Kendal. Our planning officer is currently assessing these proposals and will issue our written responses to the application in due course. Initial assessment has raised concerns over the cumulative impacts of the development alongside current infrastructure as well as the two applications combined. We are particularly concerned regarding detrimental impacts on landscape character and visual amenity from key viewpoints including the Helm. The application reference numbers are: SL/2017/0425 and SL/2017/0426 and can be accessed via the SLDC website or by arranging to view the application at the SLDC offices in Kendal.
Kirkby Moor Windfarm We were disappointed to hear that the planning appeal has been allowed relating to the extension of life of Kirkby Moor Windfarm. Permission has been granted to extend the life of the existing turbines until 31 March 2027, followed by a further year to carry out decommissioning works. Expand Update 30th July 2019 We were disappointed to hear yesterday (29th July 2019) that the planning appeal has been allowed relating to the extension of life of Kirkby Moor Windfarm. Arguments that the proposal did not constitute repowering and therefore did not find special favour in the National Planning Policy Framework were rejected, along with other arguments around landscape, heritage, noise and residential amenity impacts, impacts on the setting of the National Park and the proposed National Park extensions. The outcome of this case may influence decisions on other proposals to extend the life of windfarms. We joined and worked closely with local group Kirkby Moor Protectors to challenge the proposal and participated with them in the planning inquiry held in Ulverston in January this year. Despite this outcome, working closely with the community in this way was a very positive experience and we gained valuable experience through being directly involved in the process. The decision means that permission has been granted to extend the life (duration of the planning permission) of the existing turbines until 31 March 2027, followed by a further year to carry out decommissioning works. The original application in 2015 by RWE to decommission the 12 existing turbines on the Kirkby Moor site and replace them with 6 turbines with a blade tip height of 115m, over two and a half times the height of the current turbines, was refused and not appealed. The application by Zephyr Investments to instead extend the duration for which the turbines would remain in place was submitted in 2017 and was also refused, but the company appealed, resulting in this inquiry. Update 3rd July 2019 We are still waiting the Inspector’s decision in relation to an application to extend the time the Kirkby Moor windfarm is permitted to remain in situ. The decision was originally expected in May but we have now been informed that the decision will be made on or before 12th August. Update 7th February 2019 We are expecting a decision on Kirkby Moor wind farm on or before 21st May 2019. Update 1st February 2019 On Tuesday 29th January, we spoke at the Inquiry into the into the appeal against refusal of an application to extend the life of the wind farm by 8 years. Our objection is primarily on the grounds of landscape impacts. We stood with members of the community and Parish and District Councillors as a ‘Rule 6’ group, meaning we had the benefit of an experienced advocate, a collective voice and formal standing at the Inquiry. All those that spoke put their cases across fairly and clearly and it was heartening to see the way in which the community had come together. We felt the Inquiry went well and was conducted very fairly. The Inspector will now undertake some further site visits before preparing his report and issuing his decision. This is expected to take several weeks, but we will provide updates as soon as we receive news on the outcome. Update 25th January 2019 The second week of the Kirkby Moor Wind Farm Planning Inquiry will begin at 10am on Tuesday 29th January in the Supper Room (upstairs) at Coronation Hall, Ulverston with subsequent days commencing at 10am. It reconvenes to continue the Inquiry into the appeal against refusal of an application to extend the life of the wind farm by 8 years. Friends of the Lake District will be attending the Inquiry and will be speaking on Tuesday 29th (likely to be pm). Members of the public are welcome to attend and will have an opportunity to speak on Wednesday 30th January. The last day has been scheduled for Friday 1st February but it is possible, if good progress is made, that the Inquiry will finish earlier. Update 14th December 2018 We are preparing to take part in the public inquiry that will determine the appeal referred to in the extract below (2nd August 2018). The appeal will take place over 2 weeks from 21st January at the Coronation Hall, Ulverston, with the exact timetable yet to be set out. Update 2nd August 2018 Zephyr Investments has appealed against South Lakeland District Council’s decision to refuse its application to extend the life of its windfarm at Kirkby Moor. The windfarm, on the edge of the Lake District National Park on the Furness Peninsula, was granted temporary planning permission for 25 years in 1992. It will now go to a public inquiry in January 2019. The formal deadline for the public to object is 7 August but people can still make their views heard beyond that through local parish councils and campaign groups. We objected previously (to the original scheme, a re-powering of the scheme and to the application to extend its life) and will be adding further evidence for our objection as part of the appeal process - and we will be doing so as part of a 'Rule 6 coalition' along with other parties that have concerns about the proposal, mainly the group ‘Kirkby Moor Protectors’. 6th December 2017 Friends of the Lake District welcomes the decision by South Lakeland District Council Planning Committee to refuse the application by Zephyr Investments to retain the turbines on Kirby Moor, on the Furness peninsula, Cumbria, until 31st March 2027. Read our press release Time runs out for Kirkby Moor Windfarm 25th September 2017 We responded to the application to vary condition 6 - to extend the life of the wind farm. Read our response 26th November 2015 South Lakeland District Council’s planning committee has refused the application for repowering the Kirkby Moor windfarm. The proposal by energy company RWE comprised the decommissioning of the 12 existing turbines on the Kirkby Moor site and replacing them with 6 turbines with a blade tip height of 115m, over two and a half times the height of the current turbines. Read more...
A Manifesto for the Landscape of Cumbria Expand Better Funding for the Countryside - A Manifesto for the Landscape of Cumbria Prior to the snap General Election on June 8th 2017, we launched a Manifesto calling on all political parties to unite in developing better environmental policies so that we can have healthier landscapes for all, prosperous rural communities and increased funding for the countryside in Cumbria. We hope that the Cumbrian MPs will take note of our concerns and will support the Cumbrian landscape, heritage and environment in the coming Parliament.
Thirlmere to West Cumbria pipeline Expand 10th December 2018 National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure We have submitted our response to the Consultation on the draft National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure. For details of the consultation and our response, see: https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/FAQs/national-policy-statement-for-water-resources-infrastructure 10th October 2017 United untilities have submitted an application for 10 amendments to the approved scheme, this includes route realignment in the Naddle Valley and a tunnel at Castlerigg as well as increases in working areas. We are currently assessing these proposals and will make any necessary representations to the LDNPA. 31st May 2016We have now submitted our response to this major 100km pipeline. We have not objected to the principle of the development but we have raised a number of objections based on specific detailed parts of the application. These issues include: Landscape impacts (with a particular focus on the most sensitive areas of the scheme). Siting of permanent associated infrastructure such as kiosks and valves Siting of laydown area/compounds Water Treatment Works Removal of redundant assets should the scheme be approved Reinstatement Access Compensatory Planting and community funds. Where possible we have suggested appropriate conditions to be attached should permission be granted. These conditions would ensure suitable mitigation against detrimental impacts. If you would like any further information about our submission then please contact our Planning Officer, Laura Fiske at [email protected] 25th February 2016United Utilities have submitted their planning application for this major 100km pipeline and environmental information is to follow shortly. We will be scrutinising the plans and proposed restoration conditions over the coming months. 15th July 2015United Utilities are working up their plans for a 100km new water pipeline to take water from Thirlmere to West Cumbria. We will be consulted shortly on the new route and are looking to ensure that the pipeline will have minimum landscape and access impacts, especially when operational in 2022. More information: http://cumbria.unitedutilities.com/west-cumbria-water-supply-project.aspxContact : [email protected]
DEFRA Consultation on 'Health and Harmony' A consultation not just about how we will farm in future, but also how we relate to the countryside. It is reassuring that the importance of the uplands has been recognised, and the principle that public money should be spent on public goods. Expand The Government has finished its consultation on the future reform of the Common Agriculture Policy entitled: Health and Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment in a Green Brexit The protection and enhancement of the environment forms a key element of the document with the proposal that farmers and land managers will be paid for producing public benefits. There is recognition within the consultation of the public benefits that our land provides; stunning landscapes, food, drinking water, open access, wildlife and valuable habitats, open spaces for our health and wellbeing, carbon storage, a rich cultural heritage and common land. It reiterates Mr Gove’s viewpoint that the Common Agricultural Policy is flawed and has resulted in a deterioration of the natural environment; the Environment Secretary suggesting the solution is to move to a system of public payments for public goods. The new policy will be underpinned by payment of ‘public money for the provision of public goods’, with these principal public goods being environmental protection and enhancement. A new environmental land management system (NELMS) will be the cornerstone of the new policy, from 2022 and likely to include wildlife diversity and landscape protection. In our written response to the consultation, we recognise and welcome the proposal that farmers and land managers will be paid for producing public benefits such as landscape, access and water. Read / download a shortened version of our response to the consultation here (pdf) Jan Darrall, policy officer, Landscape quality and character should be viewed as an essential public good in itself as it incorporates all other public benefits. Landscape is the setting we all live in, and we depend on landscape for food, water and clean air and many other necessities - it is our life support system. Landscapes everywhere are of value, and should be the heart of any new policy as the number one priority, overarching all public benefits. We have also sets out our priorities for consideration and incorporation into future agricultural support systems. Landscape as the number one priority - Landscape should therefore be at the heart of any new policy as the number one priority, underneath which others sit. Focus on the uplands and common land - The new policy is an opportunity to establish a new language about our upland areas, leaving behind the language of ‘Less Favoured’ and ‘Severely Disadvantaged’ areas and instead re-classing them as areas providing high levels of public goods and services essential for the welfare of everyone. Don’t forget about tranquillity, and health and wellbeing - The NHS is ever increasingly stretched and under resourced so the opportunities to complement it with ‘natural in terms of preventative medicine treatment impacts have a significant monetary value. Support an outcomes approach - We need a return to a more positive and helpful relationship between farmer and adviser, with mutual respect and negotiation. Farmers and land owners should be given more flexibility to determine how their land can contribute to a national framework of objectives and outcomes. Create a national framework with local flexibility and delivery – We would support an outcome based approach, based on local evidence and monitoring, but sitting within a wider spatial unit, such as landscape character types or national character area. This would facilitate local flexibility and the ability for farmers and landowners to respond to local needs. The consultation is borne out of the Government’s intention to simplify the regulatory culture and streamline application processes for environmental schemes. The ability to access payments for activities which protect natural capital assets could provide vital new income streams for farmers and land managers and recognition of the true value of our landscapes.
MOD proposal to deregister Warcop, Hilton, Murton and Burton commons Expand 17th May 2017 Our objection as submitted to the MoD proposals to deregister Warcop, Hilton, Murton and Burton commons. Applications to Deregister Common Land: CA14/3: Murton Common (CL76), CA14/4 Hilton Common (CL27) and Burton and Warcop Fell Common (CL122)
Do we really want expressways barrelling across our national parks? Expand Written by Lillian Burns, life member of Friends of the Lake District. A journalist by training, she has done spatial planning and transport policy work (on a voluntary basis) for the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), to which Friends of the Lake District is affiliated, for over 20 years. She is non-political. Which of us has not complained when road journeys have been taking longer than we had hoped or we are trapped in a traffic jam? Why can’t this particular road that we happen to be travelling on be ‘improved’ – or that regular bottleneck be bypassed? But when we step back and look at the problems from a wider perspective, do we seriously want to re-create a Los Angeles freeway situation everywhere rather than having a high quality landscape (yes, with quirky, winding roads) and a first class public transport system as exists in Switzerland? What matters most – conserving the things that make a place special and wonderful or getting from ‘A’ to ‘B’ 10 minutes faster than would otherwise be the case – and probably enduring poor air quality while doing it? The travelling public have actually pronounced on this time and again. In survey after survey, they opt for reliability of journeys as their top priority – not time saving. They simply want to know how long a journey will take so that they can plan their day around it. Here in Britain, our political terms of four years nearly always cause politicians to focus in on road building as the solution to transport problems because new or expanded roads can usually be delivered faster than major public transport improvements. But this simply draws us into an increasingly unsustainable spiral of building ever more road capacity to accommodate ever more road trips which we are generating because we are not offering reliable alternatives. Add to this the scenario where so many local facilities have closed down and an expanded choice of education options over wider areas and there is a perfect storm for generating as many road trips as possible. (Whatever happened to the concept of sustainable communities?) However we have got to where we are, we now have a scenario where money and political emphasis is being poured into more roads (again!) while promised rail improvements such as a number of electrification schemes were cut back in the recent Autumn statement. Meanwhile rural bus services in particular - always the poor relation - have been totally decimated in so many places. A plethora of road schemes Friends of the Lake District is dismayed by the raft of road schemes now being contemplated. The Northern TransPennine Study that the Department for Transport and Highways England have been running has proved to be little more than a rubber-stamp exercise for progressing moves towards the dualling of the entire A66 and a ‘mini study’ that sprung from it looking at roads to the west of the M6 and led by Cumbria County Council and the Cumbrian LEP has recommended the upgrading of numerous routes. Friends of the Lake District attempted, on both studies, to introduce the voice of environmental reason but alternative arguments to building more road space were not welcomed. Added to which the Northern TransPennine Study consultants consistently circulated images to study members that failed to show the National Park extensions despite prompting from Friends of the Lake District. The Chancellor gave approval on November 23rd for funding to take forward to the next stage plans to provide a dual carriageway across the whole of the A66 corridor (which won’t necessarily be the same thing as adding a lane to the existing single carriageways and will almost certainly involve some off-line sections) and also to re-build two major junctions on the A69 between Hexham and Newcastle. Transport consultants and economists are now working up economic/business cases for these proposed road improvements, which we look forward to scrutinising. How the ‘West of M6’ recommendations will be taken forward remains to be seen. A common feature of all three strategic road studies in the North of England to date has been the dearth of detailed new evidence to support the opinions of professional transport people who have so far focussed on accumulating past evidence through desktop exercises and making assertions. Serving on this and the other two Northern studies - the TransPennine Tunnel Study and the M60 North West Quadrant one - has felt very much like taking a step back to the ‘Roads for Prosperity’ White Paper of 1989. In announcing a massive road building programme, that White Paper made bold assertions about new roads leading to guaranteed economic prosperity. The starting point of the strategic road studies was very similar – we are heading in this direction because transport links need to be improved and, if we do this, it will benefit the economy. (Whatever happened to the much-heralded concept of ‘reducing the need to travel?’) In the event, after the furore created by ‘Roads for Prosperity’, thinking started to change and the government subsequently accepted two seminal reports from SACTRA - the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment. One demonstrated that new roads generate extra traffic movements and another showed that, in a developed country such as the UK, there was no automatic connection between new transport infrastructure and economic growth and also that new roads could actually suck a workforce away from an area rather than bring new businesses to it. It has felt over the last year and a bit, since this latest range of studies commenced, as though everything has come full circle and there has been a determination to forget SACTRA’s findings. This in addition to environmental NGOs being excluded altogether from the formation of a freight strategy for the north – which was simply launched recently without any consultation. Friends of the Lake District will be continuing to follow closely what is happening and will report back to members. In the meantime, anyone interested in catching up with the progress of the Northern TransPennine Route Strategic Study Stage 3 report (or the other strategic studies) can do so at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/road-investment-strategy-post-2020 and the West of M6 mini study report is available at: http://www.cumbrialep.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/West-of-M6-Strategic-Connectivity-Study-Report-FINAL.pdf
Our response to the NWCC Consultation Pylon proposals January 2017 Expand 6th January 2017 Friends of the Lake District made its response to the NWCC consultation re: Pylon proposals across Cumbria. You can read it here. Click to see document Thank you to everyone who has contacted National Grid with your concerns. As of 2pm there have been more than 2270 letters written to National Grid via the website and we know of plenty more people who have written separately. Hopefully we can stop National Grid spoiling the Duddon Estuary and the Furness peninsula pictured above.
Westmorland Dales Hidden Landscapes Partnership project bid Expand 5th November 2016 A £3.5m grant to unlock and reveal the hidden heritage and landscape of the Westmorland Dales is given initial approval¹ by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) through its Landscape Partnership (LP) programme². Friends of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority have been given the green light to develop an ambitious joint project. The project has been designed to encourage community organisations, interest groups, public and private sectors to work in partnership to deliver a raft of initiatives aimed at revealing what is hidden in the landscape and used to connect people with what is special and distinctive about the area. The project has three main aims. To unlock and reveal the rich, spectacular, but hidden heritage of the Westmorland Dales. To conserve and enhance the forgotten landscape and heritage of the Westmorland Dales ensuring that the landscape is protected and cherished; in so doing to provide a strong foundation for the “new” National Park. To provide opportunities for those journeying through the Westmorland Dales to linger in the landscape and learn about its rich cultural and natural heritage. The project area will extend over 200 sq km from Maulds Meaburn to Tebay in the West and Ravenstonedale in the south. It’s an area that now forms part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park following the extension to park boundaries in August although still lying within the county of Cumbria. It also contains a unique assemblage of cultural heritage including a remarkably intact pattern of historic settlements and associated earthworks. Earthworks in the Orton area range in age from prehistoric stone circles, cairns, and burial mounds to medieval furrow and field systems. Douglas Chalmers, Chief Executive, Friends of the Lake District said, Until recently the Westmorland Dales were the forgotten landscape; a hole in England’s landscape designation. The area’s outstanding landscape has been shaped by its tremendously rich cultural heritage over many generations. Heritage Lottery Fund support gives us the opportunity to work alongside local communities to record, interpret, conserve and manage the exceptional natural and cultural heritage of the area and ensure that many future generations are able to continue to enjoy it. The project will provide training for volunteers and establish a framework for the coordination and promotion of volunteering opportunities in the area beyond the lifetime of the project. Many of the projects within the scheme will provide opportunities for volunteers to develop skills and work to conserve the landscape and its heritage and to promote the special qualities of the area. Carl Lis, Chairman of the Yorkshire Dales National Park said, This is a fantastic opportunity for the Westmorland Dales. In partnership with the local communities, support of the Heritage Lottery Fund helps us lay the foundation for the newly designated national park giving us resources to help people look after and connect with, enjoy and benefit from this inspirational landscape and to share the distinctiveness of this special place with visitors. Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund said, Our historic landscapes are incredibly important to people’s wellbeing and need to be protected. Some of the landscapes we are funding today are in the most remote parts of the UK; others form an important backdrop to some of our largest cities. What they all have in common is the potential to make people’s lives better, which is why they are so richly deserving of National Lottery money. A development grant of £317,204 has been awarded by HLF to enable Friends of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to develop their plans and seek final approval for the grant amount of £3.2m for implementation at a later date. Additional notes: ¹ HLF’s Landscape Partnership (LP) programme operates a two-stage grant approval process. Today’s announcement means that money has been set aside by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the scheme. The applicant initially receives development funding, then progresses to the second round and submits a further, fully-developed application to secure the full award. This early level of strong financial commitment means that Landscape Partnership projects can move forward with the assurance that funding for their scheme is in place provided that their final proposals fully meet the programme's criteria. ² HLF’s Landscape Partnerships are helping bring together members of the community as well as local, regional, and national organisations to deliver schemes which benefit some of the UK’s most outstanding landscapes and rural communities. Grants range from £100,000 up to £3m. The next closing date for LP applications is May 2017. More information about the project can be found on the project pages of our website. 5th September 2016 We hosted a visit for the HLF assessors of our project on 24th August. The sun shone on us and we had a tour round the area meeting partners who explained their projects and the needs of the area. Sir Martin Holdgate opened the morning with a presentation on the project which you can read here:Westmorland Dales Project presentation (pdf) We will know if our funding bid is successful on 26 October. 31st May 2016We have now submitted our hidden landscapes landscape partnership bid. We will hear if we are successful in October. 25th Febraury 2016With the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority we are running four community drop in events in February and March for the public to learn more about our project ideas and give us their thoughts on what they would like to see in the project. Full dates and details avaialable here 19th January 2016 We're leading a new partnership formed to work with local communities organisations and interest groups to deliver landscape-related project work in the Orton Fells area of Cumbria. It is hoped that its work will be funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Landscape Partnership Scheme. We have launched the webpage today which has more information about the project and will update submission of bid by the end of May. Visit webpage
Our response to NuGEN's Stage 2 Consultation on the proposed Moorside Nuclear Power Station Expand 28th July 2016 Friends of the Lake District’s response to the NuGEN Stage 2 consultation.
Helm access latest Why have we locked the gates on our land at the Helm? Expand Helm access latest Unfortunately we have had to lock the gate after someone deliberately left the gate open twice last week (the second time lifting it off its hinges) resulting in the grazing cattle escaping - luckily there were no accidents on the road, but cattle did cause damage to someone's garden. We have put up signs explaining why the gates are now padlocked and showing alternative points of access to our land. We have also reported the incident to the police, who will send patrols around the area tonight. It appears we are not the only local landowner who has experienced problems with gates being left open. Our cows have been removed from the Helm for the short term, and are back home in Coniston. The ponies remain in situ. We will be sorting out a temporary fix for the gates, to make it more difficult for them to be deliberately left open / taken off their hinges, and also looking at longer term options, including kissing gates at the two places where the current field gates are padlocked. This will provide better permanent access for walkers and dogs. This will be done as soon as we can get contractors to do it, which will be next month at the earliest. We're very sad that the actions of a few have had such implications for so many people that enjoy walking on our land at the Helm.
Lakes to Dales National Park Extensions Expand 18th January 2016 The deadline for submission of appeals against the extension proposal has now passed. This means that the Secretary of State's order to extend the National Parks is confirmed and on schedule to come into force on August 1st 2016. 23rd October 2015 Government confirms both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks will be extended. In breaking news today the Government has confirmed both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks will be extended. Friends of the Lake District is delighted that the Secretary of State has finally confirmed the designation orders for the extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks and that the wait for the decision is over. Friends of the Lake District played a major role in the run up to the Inquiry, and coordinated the Key Supporters Group’s evidence to the Public Inquiry in 2013. This Group represented a wide range of the interests of those who lived and worked in the proposed areas, including Parish and Town Councils, local businesses, farmers and landowners, conservation and recreational organisations and individuals. A recent widespread media debate at national level was initiated by Friends of the Lake District’s letter to the Times, written together with the Campaign for National Parks, Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and the Yorkshire Dales Society. Martin Holdgate, President at Friends of the Lake District, ‘Of course we are delighted that the Secretary of State has finally confirmed the designation orders for the extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. These are, and always have been, areas of superb scenery that deserved National Park status years ago. Friends of the Lake District has worked for years to achieve this outcome, and we are pleased that our efforts have borne fruit but now everyone must work together to ensure we reap the benefits.’ Douglas Chalmers, Director of Friends of the Lake District, “This really is a momentous decision, and one that reflects the wishes of many people. And now the real work starts. Everyone has been saying that designating this land will bring additional economic, environmental and community benefits to the area, and we now have to make sure that this happens. “In the Secretary of State’s announcement, Mrs Truss said, ““National parks are fabulous national assets that welcome over 90 million tourists and contribute to our vibrant rural economy – we are committed to helping them thrive." It is reassuring to have such a positive statement on Government’s support for National Parks going into the future. “Let’s savour this moment, but then start working to ensure that those in the areas start to see the benefits”.Implementation of the order is scheduled to take effect from 1 August 2016.Mapping detailing the new boundaries and extent of the extensions in both parks is available at the following links:Lake District National Park: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lake-district-national-park-maps-of-confirmed-boundary-changesYorkshire Dales National Park: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/yorkshire-dales-national-park-maps-of-confirmed-boundary-changes
Flooding in Cumbria Expand Lake District Landscape Flood Appeal Monday 13th June 2016 Barbon Beck Bridge The former bridge over this beck was seriously damaged by Storm Desmond in December 2015. The bridge was damaged beyond economic repair and thus a full replacement was required at this popular crossing. The new bridge (below) was installed by Cumbria County Council, in June 2016 and funded by our 'Landscape Flood Appeal'. Thanks to the generosity of our members and supporters, the appeal has now raised over £60,000. To find out more about the appeal and how you can contribute, visit the Landscape Flood Appeal page on our website. Over the next few months we will be working with the National Parks, local and county councils, farmers’ groups and local communities to begin to restore this beautiful county piece by piece. We have set up a Lake District Landscape Flood Appeal for those who want to contribute to fixing Cumbria’s landscapes and to help adapt this fragile terrain to better withstand future weather events. Our fund will enable vital restoration and resilience work to take place. Click to find out more about our Landscape Flood Appeal Thursday 18th February 2016Cumbria’s floods and their impact on soils: A presentation delivered by our Policy Officer Kate Willshaw at CPRE's NW Earthy Event earlier this year. Click to view Tuesday 12th January 2016Some questions that have been put to us about flooding answered by our Policy Officer Kate Willshaw: * Is the government doing enough? Is throwing money at the problem, at the repairs, enough? What should the government be doing? We don't think that the government is taking the right kind of actions. Increased flooding is one of the predicted impacts of climate change, and over the past fifteen years we have seen episodes of extreme flooding occur more and more often both here and overseas. The government should be both putting resources into climate change mitigation including CO2 emission reduction measures and also into increasing the resilience of our landscapes, properties and infrastructure to withstand more extreme rainfall events. * Why is flooding on this scale still an issue? Flooding of this scale is an issue because the magnitude of rainfall events is increasing. Most flood defences are planned for a 1 in 100 or 1 in 200 year event. However flooding events are increasing in severity and we are now seeing 1 in 500 or even 1 in 1000 year events on a semi-regular basis. Flood defences built to manage smaller flooding events will not cope with flood heights which they are not designed to deal with. If the climate change predictions are correct, and looking at the increase in flooding events over the past decade, this would seem to be the case, the goal posts are moving. What has been considered a 1 in 100 year event is now a 1 in 50 year event or even more common. Our infrastructure including roads, energy infrastructure and water infrastructure as well as flood defences has not been designed to cope with a changing climate and the risks that come with it: this must be addressed urgently. * What can be done to prevent flooding? How do you think flooding should be prevented? It is not possible for all flooding to be prevented. In a situation with increased extreme rainfall events (the record rainfall total for 24 hours was broken in 2009, and then again in 2015) it will not be possible to completely prevent flooding. However, properties and infrastructure at risk of flooding can be made more resilient to cope with flood events. Land upstream of towns and villages can be managed to allow it to flood and then let the water drain away more slowly which reduces the peak height of floods. Research into slowing the flow of water upstream from settlements is being carried out at the moment in a number of places in the UK. The results of this research is showing increases in the capacity of the soil to hold water depending on how it is managed (e.g. through tree planting, changing the grazing regime, reducing heather burning and leaky dams on streams). As a country, we seriously need to look at how we manage water upstream before it reaches settlements and learn best how to attenuate high peak flows. * Is working with nature the best defence - like in Pickering? Would these kind of defence work elsewhere, if not, what would? Working with nature may be a solution in some catchments. However, there is no one size fits all answer as all river catchments are different and what is suitable in one place may not work in another. We would suggest that rivers prone to flooding property and endangering life will all need to be looked at individually to find solutions. However, we do think that there are some easy wins: for example in the upper reaches of Cumbrian, Lancashire and Yorkshire river, there is scope to block “grips” that were dug in peatland during the 1950s to move water out of the fells more quickly. This would slow the flow and allow the water to be released gradually into the catchments reducing the peak height of flood water. We are very aware though that once the landscape “sponge” is full, then the water will have nowhere to go, and in weather situations like we had during November and December 2015 where very high levels of rainfall saturated the ground prior to the extreme rainfall events on 5th December and 26th December, there will be nowhere for the water to go but downstream. It is at this point that a decision needs to be made as to whether farmland or urban areas will end up flooding. We may need to look at landowners and land managers being paid to allow their land to flood to prevent downstream flooding in settlements. Other options include flood alleviation channels, flood storage reservoirs and improving hard engineering of flood defences in settlements. However, this latter option often just channels the water faster downstream into other settlements moving the flooding problem downstream (e.g. from Keswick to Cockermouth on the Derwent or from Appleby to Carlisle on the Eden). There is no one size fits all solution to flooding and flood management. The UK government will need to look at a portfolio of ways of managing extreme rainfall, some of which will be upstream land management, some of which will be flood relief and some of which will be hard engineering. Unfortunately, this is not an issue that will go away, and these “unprecedented” events which are no longer unprecedented will come along more and more often in the UK because of a warmer atmosphere's ability to hold more water. We need the government to acknowledge this, and put in place a package of measures to make people, property, businesses, infrastructure and farmland more resilient to extreme weather. Below you can find links to a number of articles and papers on the issues of flooding and upstream catchment management The Science Behind Flooding "On Wednesday 6th January four scientists from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) gave an hour-long background briefing on the science behind flooding. This wasn’t a news briefing, there was no new data or report published on the day, it was simply an opportunity for journalists to question flood science experts. At the start of the briefing Professor Alan Jenkins who is Director, Water and Pollution Science and Deputy Director of CEH introduced a number of key hydrological principles to get the discussion going. This blog post outlines the key points made at the start of the briefing. A subsequent post will cover the long discussion during the briefing covering the effectiveness of Natural Flood Management techniques such as tree planting, creation of woody debris dams and changes to upland management practices." Why Dredging Makes Flooding Worse "[After dredging], what do you think would happen for the 99% of the time that the river’s flow is back to normal and now far too low for the enormous channel you’ve dug? The river is carrying material, remember: mud, sand, gravel. All this material would drop out of the now almost static flows of a river in a channel that is miles too big and begin to fill it in again. Unless you dredged it every year, top to bottom, eventually you’d have the naturally-sized channel nestled inside the enormous dredged channel and you’d be back where you started. Dredging doesn’t work. Dredging is logically and financially unsustainable. Dredging makes flooding worse." Storm Desmond, Climate Change and Floods - blog post by Adrian Colston ex-National Trust There is increasing concern in many circles now that the way that we are managing our catchments and rivers is actually aggravating the problems we face from rain storms. Many catchments are now either denuded of vegetation (are in arable cultivation), have compacted soils (either from stock or agricultural machinery) or have short uniform vegetation (e.g. the uplands of much of Britain). These three factors ensure that any storm water which hits them travels very quickly into water courses (i.e. they are not absorbed by the soil) and then into rivers which have been straightened, deepened and dredged. The water then travels very quickly until it reaches an obstacle such as a bridge or a town – at which point the banks breach and flood defences are overtopped and flooding such as we have just witnessed in Carlisle occurs. The role of Ecology in Mitigating Flooding Paper submitted by the British Ecological Society to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Parliamentary Committee The Role of Woodland in Flood Control - a Landscape Perspective Sustainable flood management is increasingly looking to the role of catchment land use in alleviating downstream flooding. Woodland presents a number of opportunities that are dependent on its location within the landscape. One way that woodland can attenuate flooding is through the greater water use by trees. The overall impact on the generation of flood flows, however, depends on the interaction of many factors and is most marked at the headwater level. Another way relies on the ‘sponge effect’. Improved infiltration resulting from the targeted planting of sensitive soils or the use of down-slope woodland buffers could attenuate rapid run-off at the local scale. Finally, the greater hydraulic roughness associated with riparian and floodplain woodland can aid the retention and delay the passage of flood waters, potentially assisting downstream flood defence in larger catchments. This paper examines each of these opportunities and considers whether woodland can make a significant contribution to tackling future flooding as part of a whole-catchment approach to sustainable flood management. Sunday Times Article 16th January 2016 Saturday 5th December saw record levels of rain fall over Cumbria in a 24 hour period. The resulting impacts on the communities and landscapes of the Lake District was catestrophic. We are still working with the National Parks and county council to try and assess the level of damage done. How you can report damage If you come across any flood damage to public rights of way and bridges, or path erosion, you can report it in the following ways:(NB in ALL instances, please provide details of the location, a 12 figures grid reference, a description of the damage / erosion, and photos if you can) In the Lake District National Park, let the relevant Area Ranger know – click on the ranger areas to identify the correct ranger LDNPA_ranger_areas.pdf In the rest of Cumbria, including the Cumbrian part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, send your reports to [email protected] How you can give We are promoting Cumbria Community Foundations Flood Appeal as a good way to give to those individuals who have been affected by the flooding. If you would like to give to fixing the landscapes of the Lake District we have set up our own Lake District Landscape Flood Appeal
Discover Cumbria Grants Expand 28th June 2016 If you have an idea for an event or activity or already have something planned, it may qualify for a Discover Cumbria grant. We're placing an emphasis on events and activies that help Cumbria get back on its feet after the flooding in some way, eg bring in visitors and spend. We will favour events being held in or near flood hit areas, especially the Keswick, Appleby, Kendal and Glenridding areas but will consider applications from anywhere in the county. If you think your event may qualify or want to discuss an idea, follow the link for more information, application guidance and contact information. 2016 Discover Cumbria Grants information We've just confirmed funding for 'The Lake District by Night'... Dates still to be confirmed. "The Lake District by Night"- Pop-up Exhibition & Activities "The Lake District by Night Experience". A combination of pop-up photography exhibitions and night time themed activities for families in locations close to the pop-up exhibitions. Night time in its natural form is something both children and adults are becoming increasingly remote from in our society. People's experience of night time is largely being indoors in a lit room, disconnected from the primordial darkness outside. That is a loss. Areas such as the Lake District are magical places where night time presents an entirely different mood and atmosphere to daytime. Sights, sounds and sensations treat us to a completely different perspective on an otherwise familiar world. Flood recovery Recent flooding has had a negative impact on local communities and businesses reliant on tourism. Events that celebrate and promote the area in a positive light are more vital than ever. This project is an innovative and imaginative way to contribute towards rebuilding a positive view of our area. Helping people see and experience the landscape in a different way will fire their imagination. By emphasising the magical qualities of the night time in the Lake District we can help to start to replace the negative images of the flooding in people's minds.
Brexit response Expand The UK now faces huge political change, and yet we are stuck while our parties of Government and Opposition decide who will lead them through these unprecedented times. The political landscape may be changing on a seemingly hourly basis, but our job is to ensure that our physical landscape is not threatened by the potential loss of the protections and funds that have come from Europe over the last 40 years, Many questions have been asked, but few satisfactorily answered, on what will happen to land designations, farm support payments and the additional funding that many of our family farms need to continue managing our environment and to protect those gains already made. One certainty is that Friends of the Lake District has an important role in ensuring that Cumbria’s landscapes, and those who help manage them, have a clearly determined and secure future. We will use our knowledge and experience to help shape the future landscapes – whether the political one in Westminster or the real ones in Cumbria and the Lake District.
Windermere Speed Limit Expand 14th July 2016 There has been a call locally for the speed limit on Windermere to be doubled from 10 mph to 20 mph. Friends of the Lake Districts stance on this is as follows: We believe that the current management of the Lake works well for the majority of users. Windermere is now a more tranquil and safer place for a much wider range of people to enjoy. There has been an increase in the popularity of other recreational activities, such as sailing, canoeing and open water swimming, since the byelaws were introduced. Whilst some local businesses were undeniably affected when the byelaws came into force in 2005, many businesses have grown up around the Lake building on other non-powered recreational activities, such a sailing, canoeing and open water swimming. If you have any questions about this issue please contact Alison Lax on [email protected] or on 01539 720788
Internal Drainage Boards for the Lyth Valley and Waver and Wampool Expand 17th May 2016 The Environment Agency have given an extension to the notice period for the pumps for each of these areas, ie the date when they will look to turning the pumps off if no other solution is found. The Lyth pumps will now remain operational for another three years, and the Waver for another year. For the Lyth Valley, work will continue to establish whether it is possible to have a Water Level Management Board (IDB) and if there is support for this. For the Waver and Wampool, more work needs to be done to establish if there is support for taking the idea further. 26th October 2015 Proposals have now been delayed and further consultation is being undertaken. Waver Wampool Newsletter (pdf)Lyth Valley Newsletter (pdf) 15th August 2015 Consultation Responses:Waver_Wampool_Consultation_response_fld_aug_15.docxLyth__Witherslack_Consultation_response_fld_aug_15.docx 15th July 2015The Lyth Valley and the Waver and Wampool areas (Solway coast) have existing pump drainage systems for agricultural land. The Environment Agency are withdrawing funding for the pumps at the end of 2015, and there are proposals to form statutory Internal Drainage Boards funded by farmers and the local council in order to manage the drainage systems and fulfil other duties such as enhancing the environment. We will be considering whether the proposals can meet the needs of both farmers and the environment.More information - Lyth: lythvalleywlmg.wordpress.comMore information - Waver: https://waverwampoolwlmg.wordpress.com/ Contact : [email protected]
Thirlmere fence Expand 4th January 2016We are working with United Utilities (UU) and Ricardo consultants to scope a new data collection project. This will result in new data which will inform how the catchment is operating and if there are any causal relationships. We are also working with other partners to take this work forward. In a couple of years it will help inform debates about the future land management of the area and issues such as whether a 10km is really needed. 24th September 2015With only a few weeks to go until our proofs had to be in, United Utilities have withdrawn from the public inquiry. This is a fantastic decision and one which is largely due to our efforts to get UU to think again and undertake a more consensual and inclusive approach to the issues. We look forward to working with UU and all stakeholders to consider the issues further and how we may be able to resolve them in partnership and with less impacts on the landscape. 9th September 2015The Open Spaces Society, Britain’s leading pressure-group for the protection of common land, is delighted that United Utilities (UU) has withdrawn its controversial application for 10 kilometres of fencing on common land above Thirlmere in the heart of the Lake District National Park. A public inquiry was due to open on 17 November.http://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/united-utilities-withdraws-controversial-lake-district-fencing-scheme/ 15th July 2015United Utilities are seeking permission for a 10.5 km fence on the commons above Thirlmere. FLD along with 100 other people have objected in order to preserve the openness of the fells, public access and the traditions of common land. There will be a public inquiry into the proposals in Nov. We have asked UU to withdraw their application and talk to all those interested and affected to see if we can achieve consensus on a way forward to resolve all the issues. If they do not, we are working hard with the Open Spaces Society, Federation of Cumbria Commoners, Foundation for Common Land and Lake District Local Access Forum to co-ordinate our evidence to be presented at the inquiry. Contact : [email protected]
Seeking a long term future for our common land Expand 9th December 2015 We have written to Rory Stewart to try and secure continued and protected resources for common land and town and village greens. See attached (pdf) 15th July 2015We are acting as a convener for Cumbria to put together a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund on behalf of the Foundation for Common Land. This will look at sharing best practice, skills and knowledge exchange and limited capital works for some of our commons to help sustain them for us all to enjoy in the future.
Cogra Moss reservoir Expand 24th September 2015We welcome UU’s decision to keep Cogra Moss as a reservoir and will be commenting on their plans in the new year. We have suggested that we now have an opportunity to look at the reservoir and its wider landscape in the longer term to see if we can enhance it and work together more to secure its future in partnership those who are passionate about its future, e.g. the angler and Friends of Cogra Moss. Click here to view / download UU briefing note (pdf) 11th September 2015 United Utilities: Lake District reservoir will not be drained People power has triumphed against plans to drain a reservoir popular with walkers. United Utilities has scrapped its proposal to drain Cogra Moss and instead repair work will be carried out on the dam, near Lamplugh.Read the full story: http://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/cogra-moss-resevoir/ 3rd September 2015We're expecting a decision from United Utilities on their preferred option shortly. 3rd September 2015https://www.change.org/p/united-utilities-do-not-turn-cogra-moss-into-a-swamp https://www.facebook.com/friendsofcogramoss 15th July 2015 United Utilities own Cogra Moss reservoir near Lamplugh. It is no longer needed for water supply and is surplus to requirements. Reservoir Inspectors have identified a number of issues that will need to be resolved. UU are undertaking cost benefit analysis and surveys to inform them and make a decision on whether they wish to keep the reservoir or discontinue it which will mean removing the dam in some form. The local community are very concerned about the landscape, access and angling issues. We will be consulted in September on the way forward.United Utilities Statement - Briefing note- Cogra Moss Impounding Reservoir (pdf) Contact : [email protected]
Solar Farms Expand 4th September 2015 We are currently assessing 13 different applications for solar developments in Cumbria. The assessment process involves looking at all the material submitted in the planning application and conducting site visits to assess whether there is likely to be any detriment to the landscape or visual amenity of the area. We are looking at each application on its own merits but also the cumulative impact of proposals where appropriate. If Friends of the Lake District believe that a proposal will have a detrimental impact we will submit our views to the relevant Planning Authority for consideration. 25th August 2015 General Position statement: We support the use of a range of renewable energy technologies unless proposals have a detrimental impact on the landscape. We consider each proposal on its own merits but also take into account the potential cumulative impact of multiple proposals. Therefore, it is not a case of solar farms being a ‘good or bad’ development as each site has its own issues and considerations. A proposal could be acceptable in one landscape but not in another. Similarly where there are a number of developments proposed the cumulative impact could be deemed unacceptable. The landscape of Cumbria is highly valued at both a national and local level and as such it is important that development respects the unique landscape character of the County by minimising visual impact. With regards the development of solar farms landscape and visual impact needs to be considered from a range of potential viewpoints, particularly the fells which provide long distance views across the County. As with all development in Cumbria visual impact is an important consideration and should be given due weight in the decision making process. We are supportive of well sited renewable energy proposals in line with our vision for energy policy: A sustainable energy policy that optimises the use of renewable energy sources, reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, minimises the use of non-renewable power sources and production of waste, and enhances landscape character. Our main concern is the number of these applications and the cumulative effects that could occur across the County.Considerations when assessing applications for solar: Impact on landscape character and quality when viewed from publicly accessible vantage points Cumulative impact when assessed with other developments Impact on designated sites and valued areas Grade of land Impacts on biodiversity, positive and negative Mitigation – measures such as minimising glint and glare, screening etc.
White Moss Common Expand 26th November 2015We have now heard there will be a hearing into the common land proposals as well as the planning applications. 29th September 2015Lowther have now submitted two applications seeking consent to build a café and bike hire building, and amend the paths at White Moss Common which is common land. We have objected to these applications – see link below. Common land consent is needed in addition to planning consent, and the development cannot go ahead until it has both planning permission and common land consent.s38_white_moss_application_fld_comments.pdf
Blencathra Sale Expand 26th November 2015As many are aware, the Friends of Blencathra team after what is now 18 months, are still endeavouring to secure Blencathra on behalf of the charity. Today, The lawyer acting for the Friends of Blencathra, Janet Turner QC stated: “ After a period of some uncertainty the vendors of the Saddleback mountain have recently confirmed to the charity that they remain keen to sell the mountain and, in particular, would like to sell to the charity if suitable terms can be agreed. Discussions are now in play to that end. Transactions involving the sale and purchase of extraordinary landholdings, such as this one, are always complex and time consuming. Here the matter is more complicated still as a result of the number of stakeholders involved in the decision making process.” We thank our dedicated team of professionals working hard alongside the FoB team and our members and followers for their ongoing support and understanding.