rory meets with concerned fell end clouds community

Rory meets with concerned Fell End Clouds Community

Following concerns raised by a number of constituents, Rory has visited an area on Fell End Clouds near Ravenstonedale, where Natural England has outlined plans to erect fencing to protect areas of land marked as an SSSI and to reintroduce a specific breed of cattle to the fell.

Local residents have raised concerns over the scale of fencing currently being proposed at Fell End Clouds, which Natural England hope will limit any overgrazing by sheep on the area designated an SSSI. In addition to this, residents told their MP that the introduction of cattle could make the public highway a more dangerous place to walk, and fear the cattle could affect the local water supply which drains off the fell. The area often has supply problems in periods of low rainfall and some residents feel the introduction of cattle could exacerbate this. The Penrith and the Border MP has now written to Natural England highlighting residents’ concerns, and Natural England officials subsequently agreed to meet with the community next week to discuss the proposals.

Rory said:

“Fell End is an incredibly beautiful and rugged landscape, and I can understand Natural England’s desire to preserve the area’s unique and interesting features. At the same time, it is important Natural England recognises and addresses some of the issues residents have raised. I am very pleased therefore to see it is now meeting with the Fell End Clouds community and will discuss their concerns about the project in greater detail. I am confident that further dialogue will help us find a sensible way of reconciling the needs of communities and the environment.”