Welcome to the home page of Borrowdale Parish Council.
Borrowdale is the valley of the river Derwent that rises at the northern end of the Scafell range, in the centre of the English Lake District national park, and flows north.
The parish includes the villages Seatoller, Stonethwaite, Rosthwaite and Grange, the hamlets Seathwaite and Watendlath, and most of Derwentwater. It extends to the outskirts of Keswick.
(Our masthead photo, looking south from Castlehead in Keswick, is almost entirely of Borrowdale.)
Date of next meeting: Wednesday 25th January 2012
All are welcome to come
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Highways Act Hearing
The National Park propose to change a short 90 metre section of footpath at Manesty to bridleway. This is to connect the road to the next section which is already bridleway. the hearing will be at Friends Meeting House, Keswick at 10am on Wed 21 December. Maps, notices, and grid references will be on the parish notice boards shortly.
Removal of gravel from the river at Grange bridge
The Environment Agency recently changed their policy and removed a large amount of gravel below Grange bridge (we understand this is now under the new Carlisle relief road!) They want to remove more, above the bridge, in 2012. Emmie Mounsey has given permission for them to access this through the gap by the public toilets, which they have used in the past. It will mean disruption and heavy lorries for a few days. Andrew Webb is the person to contact to liase with them, but at the moment he has no more information than you do.
Council Vacancies
We would like to co-opt two councilors to make up our numbers. This is a small parish, and sadly with the drop in population, and increase in holiday homes, it is becoming harder to find councilors. Help us to keep representing Borrowdale residents. We meet every other month and not much time is required. If you think you can help please contact the clerk or any councilor.
Derwent Close, Keswick
This new housing development is nearing completion and local people over 55 who are unable to find a home on the open market may be eligible to apply subject to conditions. More details from our clerk on our contact page.
What do we do?
We represent the views of the people of Borrowdale to Allerdale Borough Council, Cumbria County Council, and the National Park Authority. Much of our business is mundane, trying to get potholes fixed and verges cut etc.
We also comment on planning applications, trying to find the right balance between allowing development and preserving the landscape and architecture of one of the most beautiful and well loved parishes in England.
Parish Councils are the lowest tier of local government. They represent the electorate of a civil parish. They must conform to strict government codes of conduct about openness, probity, record keeping etc. (They are not to be confused with Parochial Church Councils, which are part of the church of England.)
Borrowdale Weather
The MET Office tells us that Borrowdale is the wettest inhabited valley in Britain. So its not surprising that our County Council sometimes get tired of us telling them that the culverts are blocked and the road is flooded yet again!