Indian billionaire keen to buy England’s much-loved mountain
Posted by Unknown on Sunday, August 3, 2014 | 0 comments
- He already owns two of the most expensive houses in London, a large stake in a premiership football club and a slice of the world’s largest steel-making company.
Now Lakshmi Mittal, the third-richest man in Britain, wants to purchase one of England’s best-loved mountains, too.
The Indian billionaire and CEO of ArcelorMittal is believed to have bid more than £1.75 million to buy Blencathra, the Lake District fell also known as Saddleback.
The Indian billionaire and CEO of ArcelorMittal is believed to have bid more than £1.75 million to buy Blencathra, the Lake District fell also known as Saddleback.
The Friends of Blencathra have lodged a counter bid using a ‘substantial’ sum donated by British outdoor clothing label Berghaus.
It could now take another six months for the Earl to complete the sale, because the local authority, Eden District Council, is obliged to allow the group time to raise enough funds.
The Friends of Blencathra have lodged a counter bid using a ‘substantial’ sum donated by British outdoor clothing label Berghaus.
A friend of the Lonsdale family said: ‘The Friends have offered £300,000 less than he wants for Blencathra and the Earl is not happy with them at all.’
Debbie Cosgrove, who chairs the group, said: ‘If someone buys the mountain it’s unlikely they have charitable aims.’
But local Martin Knowles, who grew up within sight of Blencathra, said: ‘The buyer wants to preserve the mountain and has the money to pay farmers to repair the footpaths and wells and things like that. Whereas if the Friends scrape together enough cash, they’ll have no money to preserve it.’
Source: MailOnline
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