Thumbs up to expansion of Yorkshire Dales National Park

Following the announcement by Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss on 23 October,  that its boundary is being extended, the Yorkshire Dales National Park will be increased by nearly a quarter in the next year.

The news means the area covered by the National Park will expand by nearly 24 per cent while the Lake District National Park will increase by three per cent –changes involving 188 square miles.

Extending the boundaries of these beautiful and internationally iconic areas should provide a welcome boost for rural tourism in the area, support rural businesses and potentially add millions more to the £4 billion already generated by visitors to the National Parks each year.

Peter Charlesworth, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Chairman, said: “We are thrilled and delighted these stunning landscapes have been recognised as worthy of national park status. The decision is particularly welcome after the tremendous work of so many people from these communities who fought so hard for national park status. It is marvellous that, even at a time of financial austerity, Government have recognised the equality of these landscapes and designated as national park.”

David Butterworth, the Authority Chief Executive, said:  “Now the hard work starts. We will be listening to and learning from the local communities, farmers, landowners and businesses to enable us to develop productive, long-term relationships with all these parties. Working together with others, the National Park Authority is determined to play a leading part in making the most of the wonderful opportunities this decision offers for both the landscape and local economy.”

The new boundary for the Yorkshire Dales National Park will now include parts of the Orton Fells, the northern Howgill Fells, Wild Boar Fell and Mallerstang to the north and, to the west, Barbon, Middleton, Casterton and Leck Fells, the River Lune, and part of Firbank Fell and other fells to the west of the River Lune.

The Lake District National Park will absorb an area from Birkbeck Fells Common to Whinfell Common to the east and area from Helsington Barrows to Sizergh Fell, an area north of Sizergh Castle and part of the Lyth valley to the south.

The announcement of the extension, which will come into effect next August, was made as the Secretary of State visited Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes.

It follows two public consultations on the Natural England’s proposal and a public inquiry in 2013.