Lakes to Dales Landscape Designation Project

Natural England proposed designating land between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks in 2009 and has carried out two public consultations leading to a decision in September 2011 that the National Parks should be extended. On 17 January 2012 its Chair and Chief Executive signed Orders which, if confirmed, would vary the boundaries of the National Parks.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park (Designation) (Variation) Order 2012 would change the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales National Park:

• to the north, to include parts of the Orton Fells, the northern Howgill Fells, Wild Boar Fell and Mallerstang; and
• to the west, to include Barbon, Middleton, Casterton and Leck Fells, the River Lune and, part of Firbank Fell and other fells to the west of the river.

The Lake District National Park (Designation) (Variation) Order 2012 would change the boundaries of the Lake District National Park:

• to the east, to include an area from Birkbeck Fells Common to Whinfell Common; and
• to the south to include an area from Helsington Barrows to Sizergh Fell, and part of the Lyth Valley, including the small new addition of land North of Sizergh Castle.

The Orders are about to be submitted to the Secretary of State for her consideration. Anybody may make written representations (whether to object, support or suggest changes) which should be sent directly to the Secretary of State by 16 March 2012.

Full details on how to download the Orders, venues where they can be inspected and how to make representations can be found on the Lakes to Dales consultation page.

The deposit period has been advertised according to statutory requirements in national and local newspapers. In addition we have written to statutory consultees and individuals and organisations who have responded to either of our previous consultations.

Further information on the project is available on the following pages:

Consultation - information on the current ‘deposit period’ and the previous two consultations.
Background - summary of what has happened on this project so far.
Maps - downloadable maps of the proposed boundaries and links interactive maps and GIS data.
Documents - all publications produced for this project

What happens next

After the end of the deposit period the Secretary of State will give consideration to all objections, and may hold a public inquiry. A public inquiry must be held if a County or District Council with land in the National Park or the proposed extensions objects and does not withdraw its objection.

Having considered all responses and any inquiry report, the Secretary of State may decide whether to confirm the Orders. She may also make modifications to the Orders.

How to contact us

To make formal representations about the Orders, please write directly to the Secretary of State (see our consultation page for details).

For all other queries:

Email: nwdesignationproject@naturalengland.org.uk
Telephone: 0300 060 2178
Write to: Lakes to Dales Landscape Designation Project, Natural England, Bridgewater House, 60 Whitworth Street, Manchester M1 6LT
David Vose, Project Manager - Tel: 07900 608492, Email: David.Vose@naturalengland.org.uk