National parks consultation in final stages (From Craven Herald)

Natural England consults on extending boundaries of Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District national parks

2:10pm Sunday 5th February 2012 in News

A final round of consultation has started into plans to extend the boundaries of two national parks – the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District.

Natural England’s Board is recommending the extensions – which would bring the Howgill Fells and part of the Lune Valley into the Dales National Park – and will shortly present the variation orders to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spelman. However, there is a formal opportunity for everyone to comment on the proposals between now and March 16.

David Vose, Natural England’s manager for the Lakes to Dales project, said: “After two public consultations and formal agreement by our board, the proposals to extend the two national parks will shortly be submitted to the Secretary of State. In the next six weeks, people can send views to Defra about whether they support the proposals or not and whether there are amendments they would like to suggest.”

The Secretary of State will then decide whether to confirm the variation orders or whether to make modifications to the proposed boundaries. If one or more of the local authorities affected by the plans object, a planning inquiry will be held.

The documents can be viewed online and at 18 locations in and around the project area.

For more information, visit naturalengland.org.uk/lakestodales, email nwdesignationproject@naturalengland.org.uk or phone 0300 0602178.