Councillor Tim Pickstone

Report to Rockcliffe Parish Council – September 2026

Councillor Tim Pickstone, Cumberland Councillor for Longtown Ward

Cumberland Local Plan Scoping Consultation

Cumberland Council is carrying out a Scoping Consultation ahead of preparing the new Cumberland Local Plan. The consultation runs from 14 September to 23 October 2026, and full details are available at consult.cumberland.gov.uk/scoping-consultation-for-the-cumberland-local-plan.

The purpose of the consultation is to help identify the key issues, opportunities and priorities that the new Local Plan should address, and how the Council can best engage and consult throughout the plan-making process.

This is an important opportunity for our local Parish Councils and residents to have a say in the future of the area, in particular in being clear to the Council about where future housing and employment should be located. I will make a contribution as your local councillor, so please let me know if there are any points you would like me to make.

Polling Stations Review

Cumberland Council has launched a review of its polling districts and polling places, to make sure that polling stations are well located, accessible and fit for purpose ahead of the May 2027 elections, when the whole council will be elected under its new ward boundaries, alongside the first election for the new Mayor of Cumbria and existing parish council elections. Comments can be submitted until Friday 2 October 2026, and the Parish Council is itself a formal consultee.

In Rockcliffe Parish there is a specific proposal to move the polling station for Harker from its current site at Cringledyke to the Laings coffee shop on the A7. I have expressed my support for this, as it feels significantly closer for the bulk of residents in Harker, particularly once the new estate is fully built and occupied. I am happy to provide further comments if the Parish Council would like me to. No change is proposed to the polling location for Rockcliffe village itself.

Rural Carlisle Speed Review

The informal consultation on the North Cumberland Speed Limit Review closed on 14 September 2026. It had covered 22 proposed Traffic Regulation Order changes across North Cumberland.

None of the specific proposals are in Rockcliffe Parish. The one area that has been raised is the speed of traffic through Harker Lane Ends, which does not meet Department for Transport guidance for a speed reduction, but where there is agreement for better signage.

Hespin Wood Landfill

Members will be aware that Hespin Wood has been operating under a temporary stop on accepting new waste to the landfill, with the exception of soil. There have recently been some concerns that this may no longer be the case. I am looking into this and will report back to the Council once I have clarity.

It is very disappointing that the Planning Committee has agreed permanent planning permission for some of the waste facilities at Hespin Wood. This is yet another unwelcome increase in waste processing in the area.

North West Recycling

I have met with the Environment Agency as part of their work to consider the application for increased tonnage at the existing waste facilities there, and I have submitted comments as your local councillor strongly opposing the proposals.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there are issues I can help with.