ENGLISH ENDEAVOUR TO RETAIN BEAUTY OF LAKE DISTRICT

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6735, 11 October 1928, Page 8

ENGLISH ENDEAVOUR TO RETAIN BEAUTY OF LAKE DISTRICT

Local Authorities Meet to Try to Gain Control of New Building's

LONDON, This summer an organised attempt is being made to try to prevent the Lake District, one of the most beautiful parts of England, from being spoiled. The quiet solitudes where Wordsworth and his companions found a refuge are in danger, and beauty spots, famed in poetry and art, are being threatened by the erection of mansions for merchant princes, or bungalows for poorer men seeking a home on retirement. The roads along which only a few country carts used to trundle 20 years ago, arc now busy every morning, and evening with mammoth char-a-bancs, bringing thousands of trippers from Britain’s most democratic seaside resorts, Blackpool and Morccambe. Eaced with dangers from many sides, the local authorities of the Lake District have at last decided to_ combine with a view to concerted action. Eor years past lovers of the lakes have been warning local residents that the beauty of nature is the principal financial asset of the district, and that it must bo preserved. Men like Canon Eawnsley and Arthur Severn, a kinsman of John Buskin, have been doing their utmost to warn their neighbours of the necessity to take action before it is too late.

This sumnjer a number of local authorities haVe assembled together at Cockermouth, and will co-operate with the joint town planning committee that was established two years ago at Kendal for the protection‘of the southern part of the district. Although these bodies will have no statutory power to compel action, experience elsewhere has shown that much can be done by making plans ahead. ‘ It is possible; too, to prevent new houses being built in the wrong places, and of materials that do not blend with their surroundings. The Windermere Urban District Council has wisely taken powers to control now buildings. It is expected that they and other local councils will endeavour to prevent badly designed bungalows being constructed on sites where they will be prom-, inent as eyesores. Further, no doubt, the committee will endeavour to 4 4 zone ” the Lake District. The extensive coalfields on the. northwest frontier might well be confined within definite limits. Similarly the reserves of lead, copper and 2inc, the slate quarries at Buttermere and Coniston ,and the granite quarries at Waberthwaite and Eskdale, can be controlled.