Report to Arthuret Parish Council – 1 June 2026
Hespin Wood
As members will be aware, very significant volumes of waste have been going to landfill at Hespin Wood in recent months, resulting in substantially increased lorry movements, a foul smell and a rise in the height of the tip. The tip is owned and operated by a private company, Seletia [spelling to be confirmed]. Cumberland Council, working alongside the Environment Agency, has been closely monitoring the situation, placing conditions on the operator and taking enforcement action around traffic and litter. The site is now not accepting further waste to landfill while the operator works with the Environment Agency and the Council to address the issues raised. A new area on the north-east corner of the tip is being prepared to take further waste within the permitted height of the site.
Borderlands and the Community Centre
The first phase of Borderlands funding – the interior work at the Community Centre – will be going to the Borderlands Board shortly for approval. Once agreed, plans can be taken to a final stage and quotes and contractors secured. Work is expected to begin in early 2027. The second phase (the A7) will require further public consultation before moving forwards, with engagement planned for later this year.
The Community Centre has also been successful in securing funds for furniture and equipment to complete the Community Hub café area, which will properly open this summer.
Tour de France
As the Council will know, the men’s Tour de France race will be coming through Longtown on 2 July 2027. Meetings with Council staff continue and I have also met separately with the owner of Bike Seven, who is understandably very keen to make the most of the event. There is plenty still to plan, but some things for the Parish Council to consider now:
How Longtown should be decorated, and how to fund this. It has been made clear that towns should seek their own funding wherever possible, so the Parish Council may wish to consider a bid to one or both of the local windfarms. One popular approach for the Tour is for individual businesses and community groups to put up or sponsor their own ‘yellow bikes’ through the town.
Road closures will be very significant until the race has passed through. The impact on services such as the primary school, buses to William Howard, care homes and other essential services will need careful thought.
The welcome signage to Longtown – given the number of visitors and level of media attention, this might be a good moment to consider whether it needs updating.
Extended Services Group
Longtown’s Extended Services Group continues to work well. The bus shelter outside the nursery has now been removed – thank you to everyone who worked together to achieve this. A Longtown Fun Day is planned for Saturday 1 August, with activities at the Graham Arms, the Community Centre and hopefully the playing field. It is hoped this can grow each year into a larger summer event for the town. A first business breakfast for local firms was attended by over 20 businesses.
Planning
I have made a formal request as ward councillor for the proposed new solar farm between Sandysyke and the River Lynn to be determined by the Planning Committee directly, rather than as a delegated decision by officers.
I am speaking at the Planning Inspectorate appeal against Cumberland Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the incinerator at Rockcliffe.
Highways
Not within Arthuret Parish, but very welcome news that the road up to Springfield off the Gretna Road is being resurfaced, as the surface has been suffering badly from subsidence on one side.
Grit Bins
This will be of most relevance to the rural parts of the parish, but residents across Arthuret will have noticed the replacement of grit piles with grit bins. This is to ensure that grit remains usable when needed – piles deteriorate over time – and is both more efficient and prevents leaching into the ground. The bins will be filled by the Council, but also carry a QR code through which residents can request a top-up if needed. If the Parish Council has any comments on the location of bins in the parish, please let me know.
Boundary Review
The Local Government Boundary Commission published its final report on new Cumberland council wards on 5 May 2026. The new boundaries – 55 councillors in 55 wards – will be used for the first time at the May 2027 local elections. Longtown Ward is unchanged, retaining all seven parishes: Arthuret, Bewcastle, Kirkandrews on Esk, Nicholforest, Rockcliffe, Solport and Westlinton. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there are issues I can help with.
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