Will Blencathra be the people’s mountain or a plutocrat’s prize? Tonight is the last chance to get your donations in if you want to help buy an iconic Lake District mountain for the nation.
Back in early May, news broke that the owner of Blencathra, Hugh Lowther or Lord Lonsdale, wanted to sell the mountain to help pay off a £9 million inheritance tax bill. According to media reports he was hoping to find “some daft Russian” to buy it.
But many locals and mountain lovers were dismayed at the prospect of such a beloved mountain becoming a plutocrat’s prize, so they started a campaign to raise enough donations from the public to buy it for the nation at large.
Two months later the deadline is almost here. Friends of Blencathra (FoB) have been campaigning vigorously to raise the money, but tonight is your last opportunity to donate before they present a final total tomorrow.
Community asset
FoB had hoped to buy themselves more time to raise money by registering the mountain as a community asset under the Localism Act, but that plan was scotched after the local Eden District Council said it would look at the proposed application after the deadline for bids had passed.
The agents dealing with the sale have warned that the level of interest from potential vendors means the original £2.1m selling price estimate is likely to be revised upwards.
Friends of Blencathra will mark the deadline tomorrow with a walk from Keswick to the base of the mountain.
Clothing company Berghaus have pledged to support the bid, saying: “Berghaus has offered to help in the event that a locally formed charitable organisation’s offer is accepted, but obviously all details must remain confidential.
“Berghaus’s sole aim is to ensure that Blencathra remains available to all who love the great outdoors.”
Interest
Huw Lowther said: “I am heartened, but not surprised, by the level of interest that has been shown in the sale.
“The property is fully protected and it is difficult to imagine how there could be any form of adverse development or change in use of the mountain which forms such an iconic part of the local environment.
“I know that the change of ownership away from my family, whilst sad, will not affect anyone’s enjoyment of the area.”
John Robson managing director of agents H&H Land and Property, said: “Offers have already been received and there is no doubt that the current level of interest would indicate that the eventual price may well exceed the guide of £1.75m plus VAT.
“There is no doubt that the prospect of owning the mountain has struck a chord with the community, high-net-worth individuals and long-term investors alike.”
READ MORE: Should the public buy Blencathra?
BMC article exploring some of the arguments for and against donating to a public buyout of Blencathra.
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