I hope this finds you well.
Please find below a short update on local issues, hope that this is useful.
A few quick highlights from the last month. At the recent meeting of the full Cumberland Council I raised two issues in written questions, the first was around enforcement action at the Hespin Wood tip, where I was reassured that the Council’s Cabinet member confirmed that Cumberland would not hesitate to take enforcement action if the operator fails to comply with rules going forwards. I also asked about the continuing decline in healthy life expectancy in Cumberland, which is continuing to lie well below the national average.
Tomorrow I am speaking on behalf of residents at the Planning Inspectorate appeal hearing into the decision of the Council to refuse a planning application for a gasification plant (incinerator) just south of Rockcliffe village. Hopefully the Inspector will reject the appeal and the plant will not go ahead.
Finally, the only current news on the Cross Border pylon route is that the second stage of consultation has been put back to 2027 (it had been meant to happen later this year).
As always, don’t hesitate to get in touch if I can help with anything or if you have suggestions for our local area.
Best wishes,
Tim
Councillor Tim Pickstone Councillor for Longtown Ward tim.pickstone@cumberland.gov.uk 07840 844 454
Hespin Wood Landfill Update
Thank you to everyone who has been in touch over continued concerns at the Hespin Wood landfill. I’ve been pressing hard for action — including submitting a written question to Full Council in May — and I’ve published a fuller update on my website for anyone who wants the detail: timpickstone.mycouncillor.org.uk/2026/05/05/information-on-hespin-wood-tip/
The short version: Cumberland and the Environment Agency are both engaged, enforcement action is ongoing, at the moment there is a stop on new waste going to landfill at the site, and I’ll keep pushing until the situation is properly resolved.
Tour de France 2027
The Tour de France men’s race will pass through Longtown on 2 July 2027, and planning is well under way. A new Project Manager is now in post, and there will be significant work ahead on road closures and logistics for the day itself.
This is the biggest international sporting event Cumbria has ever hosted — and it’s coming through Newcastleton, down the A7 and on to Brampton down the A6071. More details will follow as plans develop. For now, if you’re planning to come and watch, put the date in your diary!
You can find more on Cumberland Council’s Tour de France pages here: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/news/2026/get-involved-grand-depart-2027
Cumberland Council News
The Sands Centre reopening — Carlisle’s Sands Centre events venue is nearly back. Following the complex roof replacement project, the full events programme is set to resume from mid-June. New seating and upgraded lighting are among the improvements made during the closure. Tickets for upcoming shows are available at thesandscentre.co.uk or by calling 01228 633 766.
Armed Forces Day — 27 June, Carlisle city centre — An event to mark Armed Forces Day will be held in Carlisle’s city centre pedestrianised area on Saturday 27 June, between 10am and 4pm. Organisations attending include the Cumbria Museum of Military Life, the Royal British Legion, RAF Spadeadam, and many others, with live music from the Border Concert Band.
Men’s health report — Cumberland Council has published its Public Health Annual Report 2026, which highlights stark inequalities in men’s health across the area, including higher rates of suicide, substance misuse and earlier death than women. Between 2022 and 2024, suicide rates in Cumberland were among the highest in England. The report calls for earlier intervention and more open conversations about men’s wellbeing. It’s important and worth reading — you can find it at cumberland.gov.uk. If you or someone you know is struggling, the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day on 116 123.
Upcoming Roadworks
Advance warning that the Brampton Road (A6071) right the way from Albert Street in Longtown to Brampton will see road closures in the first two weeks of August 2026 for highway works. More details when I have them.
The road going from the Gretna Road up to Springfield has road closures for a week from 8 June 2026 for much needed resurfacing.
Mill Street and Old Road will see closures for (again much needed) resurfacing from 6 June 2026.
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 April 2026 are here and in May 2026 here.
The most significant from recent months are:
Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development for the Subdivision of Existing Dwelling — 16 Esk Bank, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5PT. Ref. No: 26/0297 | Received: Wed 27 May 2026 | Status: Registered
Erection of Single Storey Rear Extension to Provide 3no. Bedrooms Together with Rendering of Property — Four Gables, 4 Powdrake Crescent, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5XD. Ref. No: 26/0268 | Received: Wed 20 May 2026 | Status: Registered
Construction of New Access — Draughtsike Wood, North East of Easton, Longtown. Ref. No: 26/0022/AGD | Received: Tue 19 May 2026 | Status: Awaiting decision
Installation, Operation & Decommissioning of a Renewable Energy Generating Station — Land at Hornick Hill and Burnfoot Farm, Sandysike, Longtown. Ref. No: 26/0238 | Received: Mon 27 Apr 2026 | Status: Registered
Display of Internally Illuminated Mini Fuel Pricing Totem — Spar Stores Bridge Street Service Station, 20 Bridge Street, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5UD. Ref. No: 26/0233 | Received: Thu 23 Apr 2026 | Status: Registered
Erection of Crop & Machinery Storage Building — Slealands, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5RQ. Ref. No: 26/0018/AGD | Received: Tue 14 Apr 2026 | Status: Decided
Installation of Electronic Communications Apparatus for United Utilities’ Smart Water Meter Network — Verge at Road from the B721 to the C1015, Todhills Junction Adjacent M6, Carlisle CA6 4HB. Ref. No: 26/0001/TEL | Received: Thu 09 Apr 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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