Latest news with #FriendsoftheLakeDistrict
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Judge to consider Lake District zip wire ruling
A hearing into a controversial plan for a Lake District tourist attraction has ended, with a ruling expected on a future date. Friends of the Lake District claimed planners misunderstood their responsibilities when they gave the go-ahead to a proposed zip wire at Elterwater Quarry. The charity said a "tranquil" vision of the national park was at stake in the case. A lawyer for the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) told a judicial review hearing the body had applied the relevant law when awarding planning permission. The Elterwater Quarry Experience would allow visitors to explore a cavern using zip wires and viewing platforms, according to planning papers. Friends of the Lake District said its main concern was that it would bring too much traffic to the "tranquil" area. The planned operator of the site, Zip World, has produced a travel plan designed to encourage the use of public transport and bikes to reach the site. But Friends of the Lake District's chief executive Michael Hill told the BBC the plan was "broken" and would not work. Ned Westaway, representing LDNPA, told the High Court hearing in Manchester the authority had imposed a "workable" planning condition on the developer to ensure its travel plan was satisfactory. Friends of the Lake District argued LDNPA had failed to place enough weight on conserving the natural beauty of the area in making its decision. National park authorities are obliged to prioritise this characteristic ahead of promoting enjoyment of the park by the public, such as through visitor attractions, if the two are in conflict. Michael Brett, representing Friends of the Lake District, told the court it was "common sense" that efforts to promote enjoyment of the park should not undermine the very qualities people enjoy. But Mr Westaway said the authority had applied the law correctly when weighing up the pros and cons of the development. Mr Justice Mould told the hearing he would "think carefully" about his decision before handing down a judgement on a future date. If he favours Friends of the Lake District, the planning permission will be quashed and the decision reconsidered by LDNPA. Zip World and the site's owner, Burlington Stone, are yet to respond to a request for comment. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Plans for zipline in national park quarry approved Lake District National Park Authority Friends of the Lake District
BBC News
01-05-2025
- BBC News
Lake District zip wire at Elterwater - judge to consider ruling
A hearing into a controversial plan for a Lake District tourist attraction has ended, with a ruling expected on a future of the Lake District claimed planners misunderstood their responsibilities when they gave the go-ahead to a proposed zip wire at Elterwater charity said a "tranquil" vision of the national park was at stake in the case.A lawyer for the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) told a judicial review hearing the body had applied the relevant law when awarding planning permission. The Elterwater Quarry Experience would allow visitors to explore a cavern using zip wires and viewing platforms, according to planning of the Lake District said its main concern was that it would bring too much traffic to the "tranquil" planned operator of the site, Zip World, has produced a travel plan designed to encourage the use of public transport and bikes to reach the Friends of the Lake District's chief executive Michael Hill told the BBC the plan was "broken" and would not Westaway, representing LDNPA, told the High Court hearing in Manchester the authority had imposed a "workable" planning condition on the developer to ensure its travel plan was satisfactory. Beauty versus enjoyment Friends of the Lake District argued LDNPA had failed to place enough weight on conserving the natural beauty of the area in making its park authorities are obliged to prioritise this characteristic ahead of promoting enjoyment of the park by the public, such as through visitor attractions, if the two are in Brett, representing Friends of the Lake District, told the court it was "common sense" that efforts to promote enjoyment of the park should not undermine the very qualities people Mr Westaway said the authority had applied the law correctly when weighing up the pros and cons of the Justice Mould told the hearing he would "think carefully" about his decision before handing down a judgement on a future he favours Friends of the Lake District, the planning permission will be quashed and the decision reconsidered by World and the site's owner, Burlington Stone, are yet to respond to a request for comment. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Keswick to go dark to showcase beauty of night sky
A rural town is planning to turn its lights off to showcase the beauty of the night Big Switch Off is taking place in Keswick's Crow Park, in the Lake District, from 21:30 BST until Dark Skies event aims to make more stars visible to the naked eye by reducing the amount of light emitted in an area. The event is being led by the Friends of the Lake District which urged people to "come down and take part". "Bring your own binoculars and telescopes if you have any, and learn from our expert astronomers," the group 70 streetlamps will be switched off overnight around Lake Road, Hope Park, Crow Park, and The will be put up to warn drivers about the lack of street Council is also encouraging residents and businesses to take part by turning off their own lights to enjoy the Big Switch Off is a joint initiative led by the Friends of the Lake District, The National Trust, Keswick Town Council, Keswick Tourism Association and the Cockermouth Astronomical Society. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Lake District drivers urged to use 'common sense'
Visitors to the Lake District must use "common sense" amid fears parking issues could lead to "an accident or worse". Dozens of cars partly blocked a narrow road at Gatesgarth, between Honister and Buttermere, over the Easter weekend, causing some bus services to be cancelled. Nigel Dixon, who manages a nearby hotel, says guests and people living in the area often end up "stranded" when buses are not running. Cumbria Police urged people to "park with consideration for others". Mr Dixon says troubles occur "pretty much every bank holiday" and can be "a daily occurrence" during the summer. "It's not the widest of roads," he explained. "Some people rely on the buses to get to and from work in the area. If they get taken off, they're not able to get home. "I've also lost count of how many times I've had to pick guests up five miles away at Buttermere because the buses aren't running and they're stranded. "What would happen if a fire engine or ambulance needed to get through? The big fear is that there's an accident or worse [and help can't reach them]." Mr Dixon says Gatesgarth is far from the only place within the Lake District National Park experiencing parking issues, pointing to Ambleside and Stonethwaite among other areas. "It seems to be once one person parks there everybody follows. I think sometimes people should just use their common sense. "The only real answer [in the Lakes] is to let more farmers open up fields so people can park off the road. "We've had that trialled in Borrowdale over the last couple of summer holidays. I don't think anybody wants to see Tarmac car parks everywhere." Cumbria Police said "inconsiderate parking" could have "serious consequences" if emergency vehicles were delayed. A spokesman added: "We would urge people to park with consideration for others and think about the potential impact that the placement of their vehicle could have." The Friends of the Lake District conservation charity warns visitor numbers across the national park are becoming "unsustainable". It is calling on local planners and the government to work towards reducing people's reliance on cars and argues a visitors' levy "could help fund a significant investment in integrated public transport systems". "If things carry on like this, tourism to the Lake District will degrade the very landscape that people are coming to spend time in and destroy the beauty and tranquillity that are the reasons to visit," a spokesman said. Labour-led Cumberland Council said it was looking to expand shuttle bus trials, with a service taking in Buttermere running every weekend and bank holiday from May to August. Another focusing on Wasdale launched on Good Friday and will operate every weekend and bank holiday until 21 September. The Lake District National Park Authority has been approached for comment. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Dozens punished in a day for worst lakeside parking Emergency service issues considerate parking plea Charity says car parks would 'destroy' Lake District Lake District National Park Authority Friends of the Lake District Cumberland Council
BBC News
22-04-2025
- BBC News
Lake District drivers urged to use 'common sense' while parking
Visitors to the Lake District must use "common sense" amid fears parking issues could lead to "an accident or worse".Dozens of cars partly blocked a narrow road at Gatesgarth, between Honister and Buttermere, over the Easter weekend, causing some bus services to be Dixon, who manages a nearby hotel, says guests and people living in the area often end up "stranded" when buses are not running. Cumbria Police urged people to "park with consideration for others". Mr Dixon says troubles occur "pretty much every bank holiday" and can be "a daily occurrence" during the summer."It's not the widest of roads," he explained. "Some people rely on the buses to get to and from work in the area. If they get taken off, they're not able to get home."I've also lost count of how many times I've had to pick guests up five miles away at Buttermere because the buses aren't running and they're stranded."What would happen if a fire engine or ambulance needed to get through? The big fear is that there's an accident or worse [and help can't reach them]."Mr Dixon says Gatesgarth is far from the only place within the Lake District National Park experiencing parking issues, pointing to Ambleside and Stonethwaite among other areas."It seems to be once one person parks there everybody follows. I think sometimes people should just use their common sense. "The only real answer [in the Lakes] is to let more farmers open up fields so people can park off the road."We've had that trialled in Borrowdale over the last couple of summer holidays. I don't think anybody wants to see Tarmac car parks everywhere." 'Unsustainable tourism' Cumbria Police said "inconsiderate parking" could have "serious consequences" if emergency vehicles were delayed.A spokesman added: "We would urge people to park with consideration for others and think about the potential impact that the placement of their vehicle could have."The Friends of the Lake District conservation charity warns visitor numbers across the national park are becoming "unsustainable".It is calling on local planners and the government to work towards reducing people's reliance on cars and argues a visitors' levy "could help fund a significant investment in integrated public transport systems"."If things carry on like this, tourism to the Lake District will degrade the very landscape that people are coming to spend time in and destroy the beauty and tranquillity that are the reasons to visit," a spokesman Cumberland Council said it was looking to expand shuttle bus trials, with a service taking in Buttermere running every weekend and bank holiday from May to focusing on Wasdale launched on Good Friday and will operate every weekend and bank holiday until 21 Lake District National Park Authority has been approached for comment. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
