Users of Kendal Fell have helped shape new plans designed to protect and maintain the popular open space for generations to come.

Kendal Fell is a registered Town Green, owned by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC), leased by Kendal Golf Club (in part) and maintained for the environmental and amenity benefits it provides to the public, including its use as a golf course.  

A seven-week consultation was held over the summer of 2019 to understand how people feel about the use of the fell. The feedback from the consultation has been used to finalise management and action plans and a code of conduct for fell users.

The agreed plans are designed to address concerns that have been raised in recent years about changes in the fell’s habitats and features.

In many areas grassland has become woodland or been invaded by coarse grasses and bramble, swamping out many of the wild flowers which were present and making conditions unsuitable for some of the rarer butterflies.

This led to concern about the loss of important wildlife habitats and changes in the character of the fell and the need for a new management plan to protect the landscape.

SLDC worked with other members of the Kendal Fell Advisory Group (KFAG) to develop proposals for how the fell could be protected and used in the future.

KFAG member organisations – Kendal Golf Club, Fellside Forum, Kendal Civic Society, Cumbria Butterfly Conservation, Open Spaces Society, Friends of the Lake District, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and SLDC – held the consultation to hear the public’s views on the ideas, resulting in the agreed plans published this week.

The Kendal Fell Management Plan outlines key principles on:

·        Maintaining access to Kendal Fell and respect being shown to all users.

·        Providing a high-quality golf course for locals and visitors.

·        Maintaining and promoting the nature conservation interest of the fell, particularly its species-rich grasslands.

·        Maintaining the landscape character of the fell.

·        Preserving the historic and archaeological features present.

The plan provides the background history of the fell, confirms ownership of the various parts and notes features of ecological and cultural interest as well as providing a summary of past and current management and a priority list for future management.

The Kendal Fell Code of Conduct sets out a clear set of advice that users of Kendal Fell should adhere to, including keeping dogs under proper control and clearing up after them.

New signage will be sited at various entrance points around the fell, which will include details about the code of conduct, along with details about the history of the fell, various interest points as well as maps to help signpost users to key features and safest paths.

SLDC deputy leader Councillor Jonathan Brook, said: “We would like to thank all users of the fell and the KFAG member organisations for helping to shape the future management of this much-loved area by taking part in the discussions and the consultation.

“We now have agreed plans that will preserve and protect the biodiversity of this wonderful fell and help us to manage it in the interests of all users for years to come.’’The agreed Kendal Fell Management Plan, action plan and Code of Conduct can be viewed on the KFAG page on SLDC’s website here