A NEW agricultural building on land at Blenket Farm, Allithwaite, would harm the look of the landscape, concluded a Government planning inspector. Inspector Karl Moxon dismissed an appeal by Mr R. Whitton against South Lakeland District Council's decision to reject the plans. He said the site was 200 metres south of the built outskirts of Allithwaite village, and formed part of a large area of open pasture land which swept down from the village edge towards Morecambe Bay. He said the size and isolated position of the building would make it "unduly prominent" in, and harmful to, the visual quality of the landscape.

A SHEEP sparked a major rescue alert in the Lake District after it was mistaken for a climber when it fell from a cliff edge. A member of the public alerted the emergency services and 24 members of Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team attended Jake's Rake, at Pavey Ark, Langdale, at 1.08pm on Thursday. A rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer, in Northumberland, was scrambled. The mistake was realised when rescuers spoke to members of the public in the vicinity who confirmed they had seen a sheep falling in the same location.

THE intricacies of CAP reform will be explored at a special farmers' meeting at Sedbergh Auction Mart on Wednesday, April 30. Chris Windle, of Skipton-based agricultural consultants, David Hill, will lead the discussion on the far-reaching implications of CAP reform for local farms. For further details call Chris Windle on 01756-692900.

April 24, 2003 11:00