By Duncan Bick

Published at 12:08, Monday, 07 January 2013

PLANS to redevelop an historic site in Brampton have met with opposition from a nearby resident.

Hidden from view: The Mote is overgrown and its monument of George William Frederick Howard, the Earl of Carlisle cannot be seen from surrounding roads

Brampton parish council has pledged to restore the Mote to its former glory.

The Mote is a hilly piece of land in the north of the town which features a monument for George William Frederick Howard, who was the Earl of Carlisle.

But Paul Bartley, who lives on top of this ridge, thinks it could become a haven for antisocial behaviour, saying this had happened in the past.

In a letter to the council, discussed at its last meeting, he said: “We bought this property six months ago deliberately chosen for its quiet location set away from the town.

“In the past, when access was better, local youths caused so much trouble with late-night drinking and partying on the Mote summit around the monument that ridge residents had to constantly call out the police to quell bad behaviour.”

Mr Bartley added that he did not want to be responsible for policing the area after the clean-up was complete.

“My partner and I do not want to be made to feel vulnerable in our own home due to loud, drunken, aggressive behaviour on our own doorstep away from public view in an unlit area on an unadopted lane as has happened in the past here,” he added.

The Mote is overgrown, and its monument cannot be seen from surrounding roads because of this.

The parish council scheme would see a programme of selective tree felling and the removal of most of the undergrowth with the aim of rectifying this situation.

It is also intended to involve members of the community in this work.

The parish council also plans on working with Groundwork North East, a group which helps put voluntary projects together, and English Heritage.

Ian Pennington, a parish council member, said: “English Heritage said it is a monument and if there is any antisocial behaviour there, they are going to sort it out.”

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk