July 2025 update
Since we submitted our initial planning application to restore Crummock Water to its original state, we've held a series of meetings with the local community to listen to their feedback. We're very grateful to them for taking the time to meet with us.
As a result, we've requested an extension to the Crummock Water planning determination to allow for further technical work and community engagement.
We're now exploring two additional options alongside the current proposal: a lower weir option and an option that specifically addresses reservoir safety requirements. Updated ecology and tree surveys, revised visualisations, and a review of historic lake levels are also underway.
We're preparing some short, non-technical summaries on key topics such as construction, traffic, flood risk, lake levels, and biodiversity and these will be posted on our website a couple of weeks in advance of the public information events which we're looking to hold later this year/early 2026 in Loweswater, Cockermouth and Ireby. We're also finalising a 30-year Landscape and Ecology Management Plan, a Lake Shore Management Plan, and exploring the feasibility of a boardwalk across Park Beck - these will be available on this webpage.
We continue to engage with the Project Steering Group*, Parish Council, landowners and Friends of Crummock and have recently outlined the work we're now going to undertake to review options. Further meetings with other stakeholders will follow.
Updated planning documents will be submitted to the LDNPA in early 2026 following the public information events.
*The Project Steering Group is made up of United Utilities, Natural England, the Environment Agency, National Trust and West Cumbria Rivers Trust.