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| Yorkshire dales and Lake District to be extended | Yorkshire dales and Lake District to be extended |
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| Two of England’s most renowned national parks are to be extended to create a vast area of almost continuous protected land, the government has said. | Two of England’s most renowned national parks are to be extended to create a vast area of almost continuous protected land, the government has said. |
| The Yorkshire dales will be increased by almost 24% and the Lake District by 3%, almost joining up the two to form the largest area of national park land stretching across Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire. | The Yorkshire dales will be increased by almost 24% and the Lake District by 3%, almost joining up the two to form the largest area of national park land stretching across Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire. |
| It is hoped the move will increase tourism, support rural businesses and add to the £4bn a year generated by visitors to national parks. | It is hoped the move will increase tourism, support rural businesses and add to the £4bn a year generated by visitors to national parks. |
| Announcing the extension, the environment secretary, Elizabeth Truss, said it would protect more space for subsequent generations, adding: “The dales and the Lakes have some of our country’s finest landscapes, beautiful vistas and exciting wildlife. They are part of our national identity. | Announcing the extension, the environment secretary, Elizabeth Truss, said it would protect more space for subsequent generations, adding: “The dales and the Lakes have some of our country’s finest landscapes, beautiful vistas and exciting wildlife. They are part of our national identity. |
| “National parks are fabulous national assets that welcome over 90 million tourists and contribute to our vibrant rural economy – we are committed to helping them thrive.” | “National parks are fabulous national assets that welcome over 90 million tourists and contribute to our vibrant rural economy – we are committed to helping them thrive.” |
| The long-awaited decision means an additional 188 sq miles (48,7oo hectares) of land across Cumbria, and a small part of Lancashire, will become protected areas. | The long-awaited decision means an additional 188 sq miles (48,7oo hectares) of land across Cumbria, and a small part of Lancashire, will become protected areas. |
| The Lake District will be extended to the south to include an area from Helsington Barrows to Sizergh fell, as well as an area north of Sizergh Castle and part of the Lyth valley, and east from Birkbeck fells common to Whinfell common that will take the national park up to the M6. | |
| On the other side of the motorway, the Yorkshire dales will be significantly extended to include part of the Orton fells, the northern Howgill fells, Wild Boar fell and Mallerstang. | On the other side of the motorway, the Yorkshire dales will be significantly extended to include part of the Orton fells, the northern Howgill fells, Wild Boar fell and Mallerstang. |
| Further south, the dales will be extended west to include Barbon, Middleton, Casterton and Leck fells, the river Lune and part of Firbank fell and other fells west of the Lune. The extension areas will come into effect next August. | |
| The announcement marks the end of a two-year wait for a government decision on the planning inspector’s report, which was submitted in October 2013 to the environment secretary after a public inquiry. | The announcement marks the end of a two-year wait for a government decision on the planning inspector’s report, which was submitted in October 2013 to the environment secretary after a public inquiry. |
| Andrew Sells, who chairs Natural England, said the national parks represented some of England’s most treasured natural assets. “With international appeal, their stunning landscapes stand out as a beacon to the people who come to enjoy them, whilst their intrinsic value drives the communities, businesses and biodiversity they support. Extending these today confirms their great importance and provides them with the recognition they richly deserve.” | |
| Fiona Howie, chief executive of the Campaign for National Parks, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news. Very simply, these are beautiful, inspiring and important areas of the countryside that always deserved to be part of our national parks. They were originally excluded because of administrative reasons but now, after years of hard work by a lot of people, this is now going to be put right.” | |