Residents and groups oppose lake's weir removal

A plan to remove a lake's weir is being opposed by residents, the Environment Agency and other groups, as a public consultation comes to an end on Wednesday.

United Utilities wants to remove the weir at Crummock Water, which the water utility company said would lower levels by about 1.35m (4.4ft).

The EA said it was "not satisfied that the development would be safe, without increasing flood risk elsewhere". It recommended planning permission was refused, while Friends of Crummock Water added lowering the lake would "create vast mudflats and destroy habitats" and "valuable mature trees would be felled".

United Utilities said it would work with the EA and other groups to take on board feedback.

United Utilities says in its plan that removing the weir and surrounding structure could create "greater natural storm attenuation capacity", and it hoped the changes would restore salmon habitats and natural flows along becks and rivers.

However, the EA reviewed the flood-risk assessment and said "at present, we are not satisfied that the development would be safe, without increasing flood risk elsewhere".

Meanwhile Friends of Crummock Water described it as "environmental vandalism".

"As water levels fall, previously protected areas will become vulnerable to disturbance and predation," the group said.

"The shallow lake-adapted roots of surrounding trees would be left high and dry. The whole ecosystem of the lake will be profoundly disrupted by the rapid drop in water level," it added.

The group said bird populations would be disrupted and edge habitats, such as spawning gravels that support wildlife, would disappear.

Swimmer and author Sara Barnes said she was "gravely concerned that we are being greenwashed by United Utilities' use of the romantic notion of rewilding when in fact the scheme will destroy a World Heritage site".

Miss Barnes said the plans would "significantly reduce access for swimmers".

"I have known and loved Crummock Water in all her moods and remote locations for most of my adult life," she said.

"It is where I sought refuge from emotional and physical pain when I was immobile and I know of many other people who believe it holds ancient energies and powers.

"This sounds very 'woo woo' but, the fact is, Crummock Water is one of the last bastions of unspoilt beauty in our ever busy world," Miss Barnes added.

A United Utilities spokesperson said it had undertaken 10 sessions in three years to understand the community's views.

"The features proposed to be removed are some of those specifically created for its use as an abstraction source for drinking water, including the weir structure and some of the equipment and infrastructure put in place for that purpose and now no longer needed.

"We'll continue to liaise with the Environment Agency and other bodies to take on board any feedback as plans progress through the planning process," they added.

The public consultation on the plan ends on Wednesday.

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