Agents said the Friends' bid fell well short of selling price

Agents said the Friends' bid fell well short of selling price

A community group has failed in its attempt to buy a Lake District mountain.

The Friends of Blencathra were outbid for the peak, which is being sold by Lord Lonsdale to help pay off inheritance tax.

The group was formed to try to buy Blencathra to secure it for public use. But John Robson, of H&H Land and Property which is handling the sale, said today: “We confirm that our client Lonsdale Settled Estate has instructed us to accept an offer which exceeds the guide price, for Blencathra mountain.”

The agents had said it expected to sell the fell for £2.1m, and the Friends had received a pledge from outdoor brand Berghaus to help with cash towards the purchase, along with numerous donations from members of the public.

The land agents have not revealed who the successful buyer is.

Mr Robson said: “The duty of the estate is to accept best value and we are instructed to proceed with a sale based on this offer from an as yet un-named party.”

“Prior to reaching this decision we had discussions earlier today with representatives from The Friends of Blencathra.

“We have taken into account both their offer and the fact that there is a significant shortfall between this and the successful offer.”

“The reason behind the sale of Blencathra is to realise capital for inheritance tax following the death of the 7th Earl of Lonsdale in 2006. The estate’s solicitor has been instructed to proceed with the sale and we expect the matter to be completed reasonably quickly.”

The Friends have also lodged an application to have the mountain registered as a community asset under the Localism Act. Eden District Council is due to consider the request next week.

Debbie Cosgrove, chair of the Friends of Blencathra said: “This leaves us very confused. Our agent told them that we would be willing to match that offer. Because we are a charity, we can only offer the market value.

“As far as we are concerned, we have not said we are not going to match it. We will match it.

“Because we are a charity our offer would actually be better because he [Lord Lonsdale] would be able to get capital gains tax relief.

“If we get the six months’ extra time we can raise the money.”

She said the Friends would be meeting their agent on Monday, which is also when Eden Council is due to consider the community asset application.

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