Latest news with #JohnMuirTrust
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Thirlmere wild campers fined for felling trees and lighting fire
Wild campers have been fined for cutting down trees and lighting a large fire in a wooded Council said the group had caused "significant" and "unnecessary" damage to the area when they camped in Thirlmere, in the Lake District. Those involved were fined £100 and made a voluntary donation of the same value to wildlife conservation charity the John Muir Trust, to support tree replanting in the councillor Denise Rollo said wild camping would "not be tolerated" when it led to "litter, fire damage and abandoned gear". "Although wild camping itself isn't an offence, damaging the environment is," she said. "Cumberland Council has zero tolerance for environmental harm and anyone breaching the public space protection order risks a fine or prosecution." The council said it was able to fine those involved with the help of the landowner, United Wright, the water firm's woodland officer, said the company regularly finds trees that have been "hacked down by wild campers"."As well as destroying habitats, they are also creating a fire risk which is extremely dangerous," he said."We work together with the council, National Park and other partners to engage with visitors and remind them that camping is only allowed in designated areas and urge them to leave only footprints." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Wild campers fined for cutting down trees and lighting fire in the Lake District
A group caught wild camping has been fined for environmental damage. The offenders felled trees and lit a large fire, breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order in the Thirlmere area. The damage was significant, causing 'unnecessary harm to the local landscape,' said Cumberland Council. The council, working with United Utilities, identified the offenders, levying fines for the breaches. The group also made a voluntary donation to the John Muir Trust to aid tree replanting and area restoration. Cumberland councillor Denise Rollo, executive member for sustainable, resilient, and connected places, said: "Although wild camping itself isn't an offence, damaging the environment is. Damage caused by the campers at Thirlmere (Image: Cumberland Council) "Cumberland Council has zero tolerance for environmental harm, and anyone breaching the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) risks a fine or prosecution. "When wild camping leads to litter, fire damage, or abandoned gear, it will not be tolerated. "I urge everyone to camp responsibly, please follow Leave No Trace principles, and use designated sites to help protect our landscapes for everyone to enjoy." Andrew Wright, United Utilities woodland officer, added: "Unfortunately, we regularly find trees that have been hacked down by wild campers. "As well as destroying habitats, they are also creating a fire risk, which is extremely dangerous. "We work together with the council, National Park, and other partners to engage with visitors and remind them that camping is only allowed in designated areas and urge them to leave only footprints." The public is encouraged to report any instances of environmental vandalism.
STV News
04-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
Plans to install hundreds of 4G masts in rural areas scaled back
A project to install more than 250 mobile masts in rural Scotland has been massively scaled back following pressure from business and nature groups. The Shared Rural Network project had planned to build 258 4G masts across unserved parts of the country. But this will now be reduced to just 44 following revised plans – a reduction of around 83%. It comes after pressure from groups including Scottish Land & Estates, the John Muir Trust, the National Trust for Scotland, and a number of community councils. Opponents say the project would have installed masts in parts of the country that do not require them, and the scaled-down proposals will protect some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery. Anna Gardiner, senior policy adviser at Scottish Land & Estates, said: 'We are delighted that the Government has listened to our concerns and has scaled back the number of masts to be built in areas where they simply were not needed. 'This protects some of our most spectacular and beautiful landscapes and will alleviate pressure on planning authorities in rural areas. 'The original plan was totally flawed as it was based on covering an arbitrary percentage of the UK's geography, but in fact it did not benefit many of the rural communities and businesses which are currently in Total Not Spot Areas – where there is no 4G coverage from any provider. 'These areas are still crying out for a mobile network and in many cases community councils have been ignored. 'We would urge the UK Government to redirect the considerable sum of money that has been saved in order to prioritise these communities.' Thomas Widrow, head of campaigns for the John Muir Trust, said: 'This is great news for the amazing landscapes and biodiversity of Scotland. 'Some of the proposed locations for a mast were completely inappropriate. 'We need to ensure there is connectivity where people live and work, not in our most fragile and remote wild places.' Telecoms minister Sir Chris Bryant said: 'The Shared Rural Network has been a lifeline for rural areas, helping bring fast and reliable mobile internet to over 95% of the UK a year ahead of schedule. 'Our updated plans with telecoms operators will ensure new coverage is focused on those rural areas in Scotland where people actually live, work or travel, including popular walking routes. 'This important step will ensure masts are only built where they are most needed.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans to install mobile masts across rural Scotland massively scaled back
A PROJECT to install more than 250 mobile masts in rural Scotland has been massively scaled back following pressure from and groups. The Shared Rural Network project had planned to build 258 4G masts across unserved parts of the country. But this will now be reduced to just 44 following revised plans – a reduction of around 83%. It comes after pressure from groups including Scottish Land & Estates, the John Muir Trust, the National Trust for Scotland, and a number of community councils. Opponents say the project would have installed masts in parts of the country that do not require them, and the scaled-down proposals will protect some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery. READ MORE: Plans for 1500 solar panels for historic Scottish hydro power stations Anna Gardiner, senior policy adviser at Scottish Land & Estates, said: 'We are delighted that the Government has listened to our concerns and has scaled back the number of masts to be built in areas where they simply were not needed. 'This protects some of our most spectacular and beautiful landscapes and will alleviate pressure on planning authorities in rural areas. 'The original plan was totally flawed as it was based on covering an arbitrary percentage of the UK's geography, but in fact it did not benefit many of the rural communities and businesses which are currently in Total Not Spot Areas – where there is no 4G coverage from any provider. 'These areas are still crying out for a mobile network and in many cases community councils have been ignored. 'We would urge the UK Government to redirect the considerable sum of money that has been saved in order to prioritise these communities.' Thomas Widrow, head of campaigns for the John Muir Trust, said: 'This is great news for the amazing landscapes and biodiversity of Scotland. 'Some of the proposed locations for a mast were completely inappropriate. READ MORE: Faslane nuclear base radioactive secrets to be released after FoI battle 'We need to ensure there is connectivity where people live and work, not in our most fragile and remote wild places.' Telecoms minister Chris Bryant said: 'The Shared Rural Network has been a lifeline for rural areas, helping bring fast and reliable mobile internet to over 95% of the UK a year ahead of schedule. 'Our updated plans with telecoms operators will ensure new coverage is focused on those rural areas in Scotland where people actually live, work or travel, including popular walking routes. 'This important step will ensure masts are only built where they are most needed.'
The National
04-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Mobile mast plans for rural Scotland massively scaled back
The Shared Rural Network project had planned to build 258 4G masts across unserved parts of the country. A PROJECT to install more than 250 mobile masts in rural Scotland has been massively scaled back following pressure from business and nature groups. But this will now be reduced to just 44 following revised plans – a reduction of around 83%. It comes after pressure from groups including Scottish Land & Estates, the John Muir Trust, the National Trust for Scotland, and a number of community councils. Opponents say the project would have installed masts in parts of the country that do not require them, and the scaled-down proposals will protect some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery. READ MORE: Plans for 1500 solar panels for historic Scottish hydro power stations Anna Gardiner, senior policy adviser at Scottish Land & Estates, said: 'We are delighted that the Government has listened to our concerns and has scaled back the number of masts to be built in areas where they simply were not needed. 'This protects some of our most spectacular and beautiful landscapes and will alleviate pressure on planning authorities in rural areas. 'The original plan was totally flawed as it was based on covering an arbitrary percentage of the UK's geography, but in fact it did not benefit many of the rural communities and businesses which are currently in Total Not Spot Areas – where there is no 4G coverage from any provider. 'These areas are still crying out for a mobile network and in many cases community councils have been ignored. 'We would urge the UK Government to redirect the considerable sum of money that has been saved in order to prioritise these communities.' Thomas Widrow, head of campaigns for the John Muir Trust, said: 'This is great news for the amazing landscapes and biodiversity of Scotland. 'Some of the proposed locations for a mast were completely inappropriate. READ MORE: Faslane nuclear base radioactive secrets to be released after FoI battle 'We need to ensure there is connectivity where people live and work, not in our most fragile and remote wild places.' Telecoms minister Chris Bryant said: 'The Shared Rural Network has been a lifeline for rural areas, helping bring fast and reliable mobile internet to over 95% of the UK a year ahead of schedule. 'Our updated plans with telecoms operators will ensure new coverage is focused on those rural areas in Scotland where people actually live, work or travel, including popular walking routes. 'This important step will ensure masts are only built where they are most needed.'
