Change of Plans for Mountain Rescue Teams’ New Base

Penrith Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) and Cumbria Ore Mines Rescue Unit (COMRU) have issued an update on progress with their proposed new Rescue Base at Eden Business Park, Gilwilly, Penrith that planning approval was granted for in March 2025 by Westmorland and Furness Council.

A spokesperson for the teams said ‘Following a detailed review of the operational needs of both teams, along with input from the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association (LDSAMRA), we have taken the decision to split the teams’ builds into two separate projects.  

This has the advantage for Penrith MRT that the building can be significantly smaller, not having to accommodate so many or such large vehicles. The smaller building will be cheaper and should be able to be delivered significantly quicker. 

COMRU’s requirements from a base are simpler than those of Penrith MRT: essentially a large garage and a dedicated building should be able to meet these needs more effectively. It is possible that such a building could be accommodated on the Penrith Team’s Gilwilly site.

Penrith MRT is now reviewing design implications and the potential impact of this decision on its current planning approval. 

Penrith MRT Chair John Carlin said “This has been a difficult decision but we believe we now have a plan that will be quicker and more effective to execute for both teams. The big fund-raising effort really starts now so that we can continue to provide an effective rescue service for the local community and visitors to the area.”

COMRU Chair Paul Witheridge said “One of the strengths of volunteer rescue teams is their ability to recognise difficulty in a changing landscape and rapidly and effectively adapt plans to overcome that difficulty. Our plans to work alongside Penrith MRT to gain base facilities for COMRU have regrettably been forced to change. Increasing costs and an extending timescale required a revision of the project; and it was agreed by both teams that for either organisation to move forward positively it would be best to treat each teams needs separately. We continue to work alongside Penrith MRT to maximise any future opportunities that could be of mutual benefit.”’