Natural England - Lakes to Dales Landscape Designation Project

Lakes to Dales Landscape Designation Project


Update: 1 February 2010

With around six weeks left until the deadline for consultation on proposals to extend the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, Natural England is encouraging people to make their views known.

The response from residents living within the parks has been extensive but as part of the national consultation we would also like to hear from the many people across the country who share a love of these iconic landscapes.

So far, hundreds of people have participated in person, in writing and via the website. The responses people give to the consultation will help Natural England reach its final decision on whether or not the National Parks should be extended and where the boundaries should lie.

Comments on the proposals can be made on the consultation website. The deadline is 17 March 2010.

There is also still time to meet Natural England staff face-to-face to have your questions answered at events in the local area.

The remaining drop-in sessions are at:

  • Grayrigg Village Hall “Pub Night”, Thursday 11th February, 6.00pm-Close

  • Newbiggin-on-Lune Village Hall, Saturday 27th February, 2pm-5.30pm

The remaining consultation meetings are at:

  • Kirkby Lonsdale Institute, Tuesday 2nd February, 7.30pm-9.30pm

  • Levens Institute, Monday 8th February, 7.30pm-9.30pm

  • Tebay Sports and Social Club, Wednesday 10th February, 7.30pm-9.30pm

Update: 18 December 2009

Natural England has begun the consultation on its proposals to extend the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. Please go to the Lakes to Dales consultation pages to read the consultation documents, find out about consultation events and to respond to the consultation. The consultation ends on 17 March 2010.

Update: 11 December 2009

Natural England today announced that it will launch a public consultation on four proposed extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks (see press release). The new areas lie between the two National Parks and the consultation will seek views on whether they have the qualities necessary to be in a National Park, whether they should be given National Park status, and where the boundaries should be drawn.

Consultees will also be asked whether, if the Orton Fells are designated, they should be included within the Lake District National Park or the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The consultation period will start on 18 December 2009 and end in Mid March 2010. A consultation document will be accompanied by a questionnaire, available both on line and as a paper copy. A range of events will also be held throughout the area, to raise awareness about the proposals and provide additional information. Further details will be announced on this page in the near future. Additional background materials and the full consultation documents will be available from this website when the consultation begins.

The results of the consultation will help to inform future decisions to be made by Natural England on whether to designate any of the new areas for inclusion within the existing National Parks. Confirmation of any new boundaries would then be subject to approval by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

Areas proposed as National Park extensions

The areas proposed for potential inclusion in the Lake District or Yorkshire Dales National Parks are (see map of areas):

Lake District National Park:

  • Birkbeck Fells to Whinfell
  • Helsington Barrows to Sizergh Fell and the Lyth Valley

Yorkshire Dales National Park:

  • Northern Howgill Fells
  • Mallerstang and Wild Boar Fell
  • Middleton, Barbon and Leck Fells
  • Firbank Fell
  • Lower Lune Valley and adjacent fells to the west

As part of the Lake District National Park or as part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park:

  • the Orton Fells

Contact

The team can be contacted by emailing: nwdesignationproject@naturalengland.org.uk or by telephoning 0300 060 2178.

Further information on the South Downs National Park

Natural England website South Downs section
Defra website
Planning inspectorate website

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