Residents fear North Pennines beauty spot could be ruined by water works

People living in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the north Pennines say it could be ruined if a water treatment plan goes ahead.

The Coal Authority wants to clean up two rivers, in Cumbria which are polluted with metal deposits from an old mine.

However, that would mean developing a nine-acre site at Nentsberry, between Nenthead and Alston. It would include three large ponds, a wetland and several buildings.

Water would be piped from the river and cleaned as it passes pass through the ponds, leaving behind a type of sewage sludge. The clean water would then be pumped back into the river.

Judith Wood lives opposite the proposed site and says she's not only worried about the visual impact of the site, but the smell it may cause as well:

The plan, if it's given the go-ahead, would cost more than £1,000,000.

But locals have formed an action group to fight it. They're also worried about potential smells from the new process, which they fear could affect tourism, a vital industry in the area.

It is only the second scheme of its type in the country and the residents say the other one was nowhere near any houses.