If only tourism and farming exist in the National Park won't it be difficult for other businesses to survive? Expand See page275 of our full report for an assessment of impacts of designation on the economy and rural development.
Won't the National Park Authority have a lack of focus on community needs? Expand As the Defra 2010 Circular relating to National Parks makes clear, working to foster the social well-being of local communities within the National Park is an important function of the NPA. The NPA is advised to work closely with agencies who have the lead responsibility for the social development of the National Park communities (para 100). The Defra working paper ‘National Park Authorities: assessment of benefits’ (May 2011) concludes that social inclusion is one of the benefits of National Park designation. This is achieved not only by promoting opportunities for understanding and enjoying the National Park’s special qualities but also through work, for example, helping to encourage rural transport services. The paper also recognises the wider role that outstanding open countryside plays in social well-being, especially countryside that is reasonably accessible from centres of population such as National Parks. The Defra working paper also cites examples of NPAs engaging actively with their communities. For example, Northumberland NPA has adopted an Action Area approach, using local distinctiveness as a framework for engaging communities and other partners in planning, caring for and managing their local landscapes. The LDNPA has created a Communities Fund referred to above. It also has dedicated Planning Officers and Area Rangers for its Distinctive Areas so communities have one point of contact, and has worked with communities on valley planning. North York Moors National Park Authority: Measuring Health and Well-being Impact (2018) calculated the Social Return on Investment (SROI) for the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) in respect of its health and well-being impact. This is the social value created when organisations engage in activities and projects that make a difference to individuals and society. In terms of health and well-being, it is increasingly recognised that National Parks have a crucial role in connecting people with nature, raising activity levels, facilitating outdoor recreation, and providing space for tranquillity. The report estimates that every £1 invested by DEFRA generates approximately £7 of health and well-being benefits. In terms of the Lake District, the State of the Park 2018 report shows that the proportion of visitors who feel health and wellbeing benefits has increased from: 85% of visitors feeling physically better in 2015 to 93% in 2018. 80% of visitors feeling mentally better in 2015 to 94% in 2018.
What would the Lake District National Park Authority do as opposed to the current Council roles? Expand The planning function is the only service which would be transferred from the District, Borough(s) and Cumbria County if the National Park was extended. All other services are delivered by the current providers, including housing and economic development and would remain the same. Service and function Cumbria in the National Park (existing) Cumbria in the southern boundary proposed extension area (existing) Cumbria in the southern boundary proposed extension area (If designated) Change? Local Enterprise Partnership LEP LEP LEP No Local planning National Park Authority Cumbria CC South Lakeland DC or Barrow BC or Copeland BC National Park Authority Yes Housing South Lakeland DC or Barrow BC or Copeland BC South Lakeland DC or Barrow BC or Copeland BC South Lakeland DC or Barrow BC or Copeland BC No Building control South Lakeland DC or Barrow BC or Copeland BC South Lakeland DC or Barrow BC or Copeland BC South Lakeland DC or Barrow BC or Copeland BC No Education Cumbria County Council Cumbria County Council Cumbria County Council No Waste collection South Lakeland DC or Barrow BC or Copeland BC South Lakeland DC or Barrow BC or Copeland BC South Lakeland DC or Barrow BC or Copeland BC No Rights of way and recreation National Park Authority (on behalf of Cumbria County Council) Cumbria County Council National Park Authority (on behalf of Cumbria County Council) Yes Local Access Forum and open access National Park Authority and Cumbria Local Access Forum Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Local Access Forum National Park Authority and Cumbria Local Access Forum Yes and No Highway Authority (maintenance of roads) Cumbria County Council Cumbria County Council Cumbria County Council No Transportation Authority (public transport) Cumbria County Council Cumbria County Council Cumbria County Council No Pollution Control Environment Agency Environment Agency Environment Agency No Forestry Forestry Commission Forestry Commission Forestry Commission No Agriculture Defra Defra Defra No Wildlife Natural England Natural England Natural England No Historic environment Historic England Historic England Historic England No
Will it result in less development? Expand If the National Park was extended, planning powers would move from the District Council to the Lake District NPA. However, the NPA would continue to assess applications under the existing policies of the Districts until such times as they reviewed and adopted a new Local Plan. As such, until this happened, the policy framework for decisions would remain the same. It is sometimes perceived that being in a National Park means less applications are approved and that there is less development. In terms of the Lake District, figures for planning application approval rates are given below for 2017 Planning authority Total applications % decisions delegated to officers % applications approved Barrow BC 330 72 95 Copeland BC 392 95 98 South Lakeland DC 907 92 93 Lake District NPA 1217 92 94
What about increased house prices and lack of affordable housing? Expand See 'The Rationale' section - 'What are the disadvantages of being in a National Park'.
Will designation lead to more tourists and traffic problems? Expand Tourists are attracted to National Parks and some people see it as an advantage of designation, that there may be economic benefits for some businesses. Extending the National Park is unlikely to lead to the extension areas being awash with a vast increase in tourists. However, other people see an increase in tourism as a negative factor. Designation in itself will bring no more money for tourism promotion, and tourism organisations such as Cumbria Tourism, local councils etc will choose to market areas currently outside the National Park whether the extension project goes ahead or not. Linked but not necessarily the full cause, some people feel that more tourists will lead to more traffic congestion. Funding for sustainable and in particular rural transport is scarce. However, in 2012 the LDNPA launched a £7 million sustainable transport pilot in association with Cumbria County Council (http://www.golakes.co.uk/travel).The NPA encourages the provision and use of public transport and provides information on public transport services. Although public transport timetables vary by season, with summer being better served than winter, National Park residents benefit from services that would be less good, or even might not exist, if there were less demand from visitors. The better public transport generally available in National Parks when compared to other similar countryside which does not have a National Park Authority provides benefits both for promoting opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Parks by the public but also for the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.
Where/when do I write to express my support? Expand Natural England is the body who are responsible for designating National Parks and making amendments to them. There is a process that Natural England will have to go through. This will include consulting on a proposed boundary line, and potentially a public inquiry, before making recommendations to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. We are awaiting the recommendations of the independent Glover Review into designated landscapes and one of the things they are considering is how to shorten the designation process. Natural England will not consider our request for an extension until they know the recommendations of the Glover Review – likely in October. If they do agree to take it forward and issue a consultation, then people can write to them with their views on the proposals. In the meantime, if anyone wishes to write to Natural England to encourage them to take forward the process, that would be very welcome. Check our website for updates on the situation.