John Muir Trust Take On Management of Helvellyn

© Sean Kelly

It has been announced that the John Muir Trust is taking on the running of a large part of Helvellyn. Following an extensive public consultation, members of the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) have agreed to lease Glenridding Common to the trust - subject to final terms being agreed.

Last light on Striding Edge, Helvellyn  © Sean Kelly
Last light on Striding Edge, Helvellyn
© Sean Kelly, Dec 2008

The property runs from Sticks Pass to Striding Edge, and includes the summits of Helvellyn and Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor, the Red Tarn cove and upper Glenridding valley.

Richard Leafe, Chief Executive of LDNPA said:

"At the Lake District National Park's Authority meeting on 21 June 2017, members agreed to lease Glenridding Common to the charity the John Muir Trust. This follows a period of consultation earlier this year, which gave the community and key stakeholders an opportunity to understand more about the proposal."

"During this period we continued our discussions with the two commoners who graze the land and representatives from the farming community made useful contributions towards the content of the draft lease. We will now formalise a three-year lease and we are aiming for this to be in place from August 2017."

"The John Muir Trust and the National Park are jointly committed to caring for the common, including working with the local community, and we look forward to seeing how the Trust's management will enhance and improve the environmental quality of this land."

The Trust has had staff in the Lake district since 2003 and had been in discussion with the Park Authority about leasing Helvellyn since for the last three years, following a meeting where LDNPA shared its plans to review its property holdings with a wide range of organisations and stakeholders.

"The recent consultation has shown there is substantial support for the Trust to manage this special landscape" said Andrew Bachell, Chief Executive for the John Muir Trust.

"It has also allowed us to speak openly with those who raised questions and it's been important in starting to develop a relationship and dialogue with the local commoners, farmers, residents and business community."

"We're looking forward to finalising the details of a lease and then having further conversations with local people and organisations to agree a management plan that will enhance and benefit the local area. We take the responsibility of managing this special landscape and respecting its cultural traditions seriously and feel delighted and privileged to have been given the opportunity to do so."


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24 Jun, 2017
The odd thing is that its only a 3 year agreement. Hardly seems worth it unless theres a longer term plan in the off
25 Jun, 2017
I have to confess when I read this article the first word that came to mind is 'sheep'. I am curious how they plan to square farming with wild and 'natural habiat'.
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