The chalk and cheese comparison

Jeremy Godwin in his letter to the Keswick Reminder poses a legitimate question, but comes to the wrong answer over the proposals for Crummock. He is indignant that 8000 people have signed a petition and 300 people took the trouble to object to the application including every Consultee. No wonder United Utilities are taking time out to check their facts.

Where we can agree is that the renaturalisation of our waterways is a positive step forward for the environment and Hayeswater is a good example of a flooded mountain valley returned to its natural state.

But Crummock was never a flooded valley as the Daryl Hughes 2020 report by Newcastle University confirms. It has been a natural reservoir for millennia and the UU scheme would artificially alter spawning and breeding grounds that have been established for centuries. The environmental impact is so bad that the Planning Authorities had to waive environmental legislation that applies to all other applications.

And of course there is a compromise. UU’s own engineers suggested a better option in 2020. It didn’t satisfy their Accountants but it might satisfy Jeremy and the thousands that both want naturalisation and love this incredible valley.