The Earl of Lonsdale is looking to use a loophole in the law to push through the sale of this Cumbrian landmark, despite ongoing efforts to ensure that the community can become its new owners.

A concerned group of local residents have already applied to Eden District Council to make the land in question a community asset, which if successful would give them six months to buy the property for a fixed price and during this period they would be protected from other bids being processed.

The current owner, Hugh Lowther, and his property agents have argued that these conditions should not apply and are proposing that even if the area is declared as being a community asset then it should be able to be sold normally as ‘the sellers are personal representatives selling in order to pay a tax liability’. The Earl is in fact selling in order to help settle a nine million pound inheritance tax bill.

Sealed bids for the property now have to be delivered by the 2nd July and the council have now said that the decision on making the area a community asset will now not take place until the 7th July. The Friends of Blencathra group which was set up to raise the asking price says that the council has broken its word as it was told that the matter would be resolved by July 1st, allowing them time to put in there bid backed by a major outdoors company.

Watch this space for further developments and if you have the chance to visit, grab your fleece, waterproofs, boots, trousers or shorts and get there just in case the new owners aren’t as friendly to walkers.