I hope this finds you well.
Longtown’s Borderlands Growth Deal investment is moving forwards to the next stage with consultation on the final investment plans taking place later this month at the Community Centre. There are more details below. After this consultation the plans will go for sign off by Borderlands.
The biggest issue I have been dealing with in the last month has been residents’ concerns about the increased use of the Hespin Wood landfill.
Thank you to all residents who have been in touch to raise concerns about the landfill site at Hespin Wood. I am also grateful to those who have contacted the Council and the Environment Agency directly to highlight how serious the situation has become.
I know this has had a considerable impact on the local area, not only because of the scale of the landfill itself, but also due to odour, dust, litter, and increased lorry movements.
There are more details of the action that Cumberland Council has been taking below. The Environment Agency has also launched an information website about the action it is taking on Hespin Wood which is here:https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/cumbria-lancashire-regulated-sites/widgets/146306/faqs
Following dangerous conditions last winter and residents reporting missing grit piles, I raised this formally with the Council. Grit piles are now being replaced by covered grit bins over the next two years. The covered bins keep grit usable for longer and should mean our rural roads are better prepared next winter.
As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have local issues I can help with, or ideas for our area.
Best wishes,
Tim
Councillor Tim Pickstone Councillor for Longtown Ward tim.pickstone@cumberland.gov.uk 07840 844 454
Longtown Borderlands Investment
Residents are invited to two information events in Longtown to learn about the latest plans for the town’s Borderlands developments.
The events will take place on Tuesday 21 April and Tuesday 28 April, from 2pm until 7pm in Longtown Community Centre.
These drop-in sessions will allow the public to view the most up-to-date plans and drawings, and speak directly with those involved in developing the projects.
The bid for £3 million from the government’s Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal programme is led by Cumberland Council and Longtown’s Town Team. Proposals aim to upgrade the town’s community centre, and improve the safety and appearance of the A7 corridor.
At Longtown Community Centre, proposals would strengthen the centre’s role as a community hub and support its long-term financial viability. They include upgrades to the gym, improvements to the kitchen, and flexible spaces to support a wider range of activities and users.
Improvements planned under the ‘Safe and Attractive A7’ project could include: junction improvements at Bank Street/Netherby Street and Esk Street/Swan Street, traffic calming measures, a clearer street layout, and improved public spaces on English Street.
Everyone is welcome to attend either, or both, events and there is no need to book.
Hespin Wood Landfill Update
Background
The landfill site at Hespin Wood has been operated since summer 2025 by a private company, Seletia. It will be clear to nearby residents that the company has significantly increased use of the site in recent months.
What is being done
The Council does not own the tip. The national Environment Agency are the primary regulator of landfill sites, but the Council does also have some relevant regulatory and enforcement powers relating to the site.
Both the Council and the Environment Agency have carried out inspection visits to the site. From the Council’s perspective, this is to ensure the landfill is operating within the limits set by its planning permission. The Council also has responsibilities relating to health, highways, and litter enforcement.
As your local councillor, I have met with Council officers four times in recent weeks to press for appropriate action to be taken.
Seletia has been given clear instructions to change aspects of its operations to ensure compliance with planning permission requirements and Environment Agency regulations. This includes a requirement not to place further waste on the very top of the landfill. Deadlines have been set for compliance, and failure to meet these requirements may result in further enforcement action.
The Council, working alongside partner organisations, is addressing the issue of litter on roads around Hespin Wood. Enforcement action may be taken if necessary.
The Council’s Highways Department is aware of concerns about inappropriate lorry routes, particularly vehicles travelling through Rockcliffe and Cargo on their way to the site.
I am also working with my colleague at Westmorland and Furness Council, who represents residents near Seletia’s other landfill site at Flusco, near Penrith. Tipping at that site has now been stopped by the Environment Agency, with enforcement action at a more advanced stage.
Heating Oil Support Fund
Cumberland Council has launched a Heating Oil Support Fund to help households struggling with rising kerosene costs. Eligible households can apply for a one-off payment of £400.
You may qualify if heating oil is your primary heat source and you receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, or another benefit — or if your gross annual household income is below £20,500.
Applications are now open at: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/cost-living-support/crisis-and-resilience-fund/heating-oil-support
I have been calling on the Government to go further and remove VAT on heating oil altogether as a temporary measure — but in the meantime, if you think you might be eligible, please do apply.
Upcoming Roadworks
There are overnight closures on the M6 Northbound between Junction 44 (Kingmoor) and Junction 45 (Gretna) from 11–15 May 2026. This is for carriageway repairs, with the diversionary route through Longtown on the A7 and along the Gretna Road to rejoin the motorway.
The lights on the bridge in Longtown are in place until 22 April 2026. The work is to lay a cable over the bridge.
Station Road in Penton is closed on 7 May for Fibrus works.
More information on road closures as I get them on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cllrtimpickstone
Planning Applications
Full details of all applications in recent months are on my website here:https://timpickstone.mycouncillor.org.uk/category/planning/#page-content
Applications received in March 2026 were:
Site Alterations Comprising the Installation of Plant and Associated Works to Facilitate Electric Vehicle Charging— Units A and B, Woodlands, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5TR. Ref. No: 26/0174 | Received: Wed 25 Mar 2026 | Status: Registered
Erection of Single Storey Rear Extension to Provide Kitchen/Living Room — Thackwood, Metal Bridge, Blackford, Carlisle, CA6 4HG. Ref. No: 26/0170 | Received: Tue 24 Mar 2026 | Status: Registered
Display of 4no. Illuminated Fascia Signs; 1no. Illuminated Petrol Forecourt Canopy Fascia and Other Signage — Spar Stores Bridge Street Service Station, 20 Bridge Street, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5UD. Ref. No: 26/0161 | Received: Fri 20 Mar 2026 | Status: Registered
Roofing Over Muck Midden — Broomhills, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5TS. Ref. No: 26/0014/AGD | Received: Mon 23 Mar 2026 | Status: Decided
Replacement of Michelle Cottage With 2no. Semi-Detached Dwellings; Erection of 1no. Detached Bungalow — Land at Michelle Cottage, Harker, Carlisle, CA6 4DP. Ref. No: 26/0157 | Received: Thu 19 Mar 2026 | Status: Registered
Non-Material Amendment of Previously Approved Permission 25/0663 — Barkby Byre, Dirtup, Roadhead, CA6 6PF. Ref. No: 26/0153 | Received: Wed 18 Mar 2026 | Status: Decided
Non-Material Amendment to Planning Permission Granted Under Application 24/0397 — Former Horse and Farrier Inn, Oakshaw Ford, Roadhead, CA6 6NT. Ref. No: 26/0133 | Received: Wed 11 Mar 2026 | Status: Awaiting decision
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if there are issues I can help with.
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