THE GREAT Lake District National Park land sell-off has ground to a halt today as the blind bidding process closed at 12pm, with new owners expected to be informed of their success by 5pm tomorrow (Friday, March 13).

Eight plots of 'iconic' land including Sights of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Grade II listed structures and conserved woodland could have a new owner very shortly.

The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) is currently meeting to evaluate the offers it has received.

Plans will be announced for any plots where a 'suitable future owner' has not been found.

After the purchases have been completed, the LDNPA said they hoped to share the names of the buyers and the prices paid for the land, but that is subject to the new owner's consent.

In response, protestors from across the North West are currently gathering outside Brockholes Visitor Centre to voice their displeasure at the sale of Stickle Tarn.

This mirrors a survey taken by the Gazette that revealed 93% of people were against the land sales.

As well as brandishing placards, the protestors from the group Save Stickle Tarn will be singing a song they wrote about the National Park's sale of Stickle Tarn to the tune of This Land Is Your Land by Woody Guthrie.

Pauline Hocking, a leading member of the Save Stickle Tarn group, said: "We're here because we feel that the sales of National Park land shouldn't go ahead, especially that of Stickle Tarn.

"It should be in public ownership, they are the crown jewells. They shouldn't be selling off public property - they have no right to do that.

"Everything should be transparent but there has been no public consultation."

"Some land they sold off before went to pay for a bio-mass heater for their offices but they should be using it to bring something into the National Park of equal value in terms of beauty or Special Scientific Interest."

Ron Rogers, 71, travelled 110 miles to attend the protest from near Buxton.

He said: "I think what's going on here is totally wrong. Living so far away I can't get up here too often but this is an issue for all people. The LDNPA were given this land to look after for everyone and all they want to do now is get rid of it."

Richard Leafe, chief executive of the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), has received several letters asking him to defer the sale of the land, which includes plots at the Grade A Special Area of Conservation at Yewbarrow Wood, Longsleddle, woodland at Lady Wood and Baneriggs Wood, a 9.9 acre lakeside plot at Blea Brows, Coniston, and a 16.2 acre plot of Ambleside's Blue Hill and Red Bank Wood.

Tim Farron wrote one such letter which read:

"Dear Richard

I write to represent my constituent with regard to the safeguards that he believes to be necessary prior to any final contract for sale of LDNPA property assets.

I will be most grateful, if you will consider, then respond to the following requests: -

1)    In view of the high volume of complaints about this policy, please will you extend the deadline for consultation and representation to ensure that no foreseeable safeguards have been overlooked?

2)    Will you agree to long-term covenants protecting these assets from commercial exploitation?

3)    Please will you make complete transparency a condition of any sale bids so that the general public can express their views upon the purchasers?

Thank you for your time and assistance in this matter.

Yours sincerely

Tim Farron MP"

District and County Councillor Heidi Halliday also wrote to Mr Leafe asking him to defer the sale of Stickle Tarn so an independent survey could be carried out on the site in order to assess its safety.

As reported on page 7 of today's Westmorland Gazette, serious concerns have been raised about the potential maintenance bill for Stickle Tarn and whether any prospective buyer would be able to afford it.

Cllr Halliday also hopes the delay in the sale would allow time for Stickle Tarn to become registered as an Asset of Community Value.

A section of her letter reads:

"Where is the level playing field here for local community groups with a genuine interest following the incredibly tight five week timescale to submit bids?

"There is certainly no time to prepare a detailed and informed proposal. There is also no time to fundraise or look into accessing funds or working with other interested groups.

"To be blunt, it could be perceived that the LDNPA are offloading a financial liability in order to save money.

"Whoever takes this on before the 10 year report is due will also be taking on a huge financial liability. 

"You are quoted recently as saying “We want to sell this land to people or organisations who wish to manage it responsibly. We don’t have to take the highest bid, we have to make the most appropriate choice”

"If you are indeed genuine in your desire to work alongside the local community, you will defer this sale until the dam report, due in September, has been prepared and studied, to enable a way forward that would benefit our local community."

It is not yet clear when the sales will be announced, but the LDNPA and Michael Hodgson, the estate agents handling the sale, have confirmed that there has been significant interest.