Appendix A The Nomination Form Assistance in completing this form can be found by downloading the guidance from the website Section 1 About the property to be nominated Name of property Blencathra ‘Saddleback’ Address of property Rising behind the village of Threlkeld, Nr Penrith. Area is defined in the attached sale document Postcode Property owners Address Lord Hugh Lonsdale c/o agents H&H Borderway, Rosehill Carlisle, Cumbria Postcode CA1 2RS Telephone number 01228 406260 Current occupier’s name No residents. ______________________________________________________________________ Section 2 About your community organisation and its contact point Name of organisation Friends of Blencathra Limited Your title Ms Full name Deborah Niamh Saiorse Cosgrove Position in Organisation Chair Email address [email protected] Address Appletree House, Allerby, Cumbria, Postcode CA7 2NL Tel Number/Mobile 01900 810623 07540274737 Organisation type - tick all that apply Unincorporated Community/Voluntary Group Parish Council Neighbourhood Forum Community Interest Company Industrial and Provident Society Charity Registration due by end of week X Company Limited by Guarantee X Other How many members do you have (this is particularlyX important for unincorporated community groups)? Approximately 8,000 across Social Media networks (Facebook and Twitter) and royal mail correspondence and contact. 7230 signatories of an independent 38 degrees petition in support of community purchase. Section 3 Supporting information for nomination Why do you feel the property is an asset of community value? Please give as much information as possible and attach any supporting evidence. What is the definition of an asset of community value? Land is deemed to be of community value if, in the opinion of the Council: The current main use of the land furthers the social interests or social well-being of the local community, and it can continue to further the social interests or social wellbeing of the local community, although not necessarily in the same way, or; The main use of the land in the recent past has furthered the social interests or social well-being of the local community it is realistic to think that within five years the land can be brought back into use that will further the social interest or wellbeing of the local community, whether or not in the same way as before. We believe that Blencathra is an asset of community value because of its many uses. These include the living made from the land by the six farmers holding rights for grazing on the Commons through the Higher Level Stewardship Agreement (HLS). The rights of the farmers are currently protected through this (HLS), however this is due to expire in November 2020. We would wish to see this right protected, yet as recent activity at Langdale and Grasmere has shown, a land owner can unilaterally withhold permission for schemes such as the Uplands Entry Level Stewardship and effectively change the use of land. The proposal for registration of Blencathra as a community asset provides a mechanism to enable the community to bid for that asset in order to preserve its use for the public in perpetuity. In addition Blencathra has been known as a draw for people for hundreds of years and even within the sales prospectus issued on behalf of Lord Lonsdale, this is recognised in their statement: ‘Blencathra’s reputation as a tourist attraction has its roots in the 18th Century, when people would travel on horseback or by carriage along the new Penrith to Keswick turnpike road to enjoy the spectacular views. The first account of climbers reaching from the summit dates from 1793, when they admired ‘prospects of the utmost grandeur’ (H & H Land and Property – agents for Lord Lonsdale) The public access to the area through the ‘Right to Roam’ legislation would indicate that this is already recognised as a place for the community and the Lake District National Park Authority’s responsibility to ensure the public access is testament to this right. However, this is an opportunity for people to be able to take more responsibility and to truly engage in protecting this iconic mountain for generations to come and to take part in what has recently become labelled ‘The Big Society’. The several hundred letters of support already received, along with the information provided through the 38 Degrees petition signed by 7230 would indicate a strong level of support that has been shown in just 4 weeks from commencing this campaign. Wainwright described the ascent from Threlkeld via Hall’s Fell Ridge as “positively the finest way to any mountain-top in the district” in fact he recorded more routes of ascent for Blencathra than any other fell. This in itself means that there are many opportunities for walkers and climbers of varying ability and age to enjoy this iconic mountain. The community have demonstrated both their commitment and love for the mountain by pulling together to raise funds for the purchase of this land in order to ensure its future ownership and care. However they seek the security of the Community Asset Registration to help give the best chance that in the future the land can be managed with the interest of the public at large rather than at the whim of an individual landowner. It will also ensure a period for consultation with the current land owner to demonstrate our good intentions. This has not been possible whilst the property was on the open market. It is not the intention to try to reduce the price of the mountain, rather it is so that we can use this as the opportunity to get round the table with the landowner and match any genuine offer made in a timely manner. The fact that the key partners such as the National Trust, Friends of the Lake District and John Muir Trust have all spoken out in public meetings in support of the undertaking of Friends of Blencathra and the Chief Executive of the Lake District National Park spoke positively about the aspiration of this group as early on as the second week of the campaign all demonstrate the willingness of the professional organisations to support this proposal. Within the next five years we envisage many opportunities for wider community engagement through partnership working with organisations such as the Blencathra Centre and the Calvert Trust to look at how they can best be supported to maximise the opportunities for those who might otherwise never be able to experience the pleasure of this iconic mountain. We believe that during this time that the commitment to the mountain will be demonstrated by the public through delivery of an agreed plan of action to ensure that there is a proper care and maintenance programme that is appropriate for the area and use of this special piece of land. Blencathra holds a number of designations to include SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and the Lake District High Fells SAC (Special Area of Conservation) which is a European designation, indicating the international recognition of the special nature of this area. This is something valued by so many in both the local and wider community and we wish to be able to provide them with the sense of responsibility for the nurturing of this precious landscape that can only be enhanced by their knowledge of public ownership. What does social interest and social wellbeing mean? Social interests include (a) cultural interests; (b) recreational interests; (c) sporting interests. Well-being are the things that people value in their life that contributes to them reaching their potential (economic, social or environmental) so this includes good mental and physical health, as well as good community spirit. Without a doubt the mountain has its place in our Cumbrian culture, with a range of activity taking place with respect to the upland hill farms as well as the more obvious recreational and sporting interests with the mountain attracting huge numbers of visitors who walk, climb, scramble, fly from and around, run, cycle or just sit and admire it. At the time of writing this proposal only four weeks have elapsed since the announcement of the proposed sale, in this time over 6,400 people have joined the Facebook group, with many more ‘liking’ our Facebook page and navigating our website, where we give information on progress of the activity. Our Twitter link, email and a mix of telephone calls and letters all are pledging their support for the community to own what they see as an iconic mountain. The numbers are still rising daily and the story has attracted interest in many countries abroad, with articles written in France, Germany, Holland, Greece, America, Canada and Australia to name but a few. The response we have had indicates it is not the novelty of the land sale, it is the opportunity that this presents to us, the public, that has made people want to get in touch and to be involved. This mountain has touched the hearts of both the local residents and the wider community around the world who aspire to work in, live in or visit our wonderful landscape. It is not the fear of the unknown purchaser, rather it is the recognition that this sale offers a rare chance for our local community to truly own what is, to many a sign of ‘coming home’ to so many. We have countless stories from people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds telling us why they wanted to support this proposal these letters and many of the emails can be made available to you for your consideration. Please note that they are not attached at this stage following discussion with Mr Gordon Nicolson, but can be made available in time for the meeting to determine the registration.