Friends of the Lake District Annual Review 2024/25

Welcome to the 2024/25 Friends of the Lake District Annual Review. 

In this report you’ll find lots of information about our achievements over the last 12 months, but I would like to highlight a few to demonstrate the range of activities delivered by the team.

The need to challenge, including by way of Judicial Review, the decision to approve a zip- wire attraction in Elterwater and the efforts to prevent the development of a large-scale holiday park at Roanhead on the Furness coast, demonstrates that the protection of tranquillity, areas of outstanding natural beauty and the Lake District’s UNESCO World Heritage status should not be taken for granted.

In addition to pursuing these high-profile cases, the team continues to make a significant contribution to achieving our aims by challenging other inappropriate developments, making recommendations which reduce the adverse impact of planning applications and contributing to the strategic Development Plan for the National Park and our two county councils. We recognise the needs of our communities and those who live and work within the Lake District and in keeping with the aims of those who created Friends in 1934, we continue to argue for appropriate affordable housing (and now, we also argue for environmentally sustainable housing.)

The land we own across Cumbria provides access to those who wish to enjoy it, promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly farming, and improves biodiversity. The project at Dam Mire Wood in Threlkeld, which began last year, is a great example of what can be achieved with a relatively small area. It is particularly pleasing to see the work being done to engage with the local community, giving children from the local school the chance to appreciate and learn about nature.

There is a conflict between the desire to make the Lake District accessible to all and the need to protect the very things which make it so special. Tourism plays a vital role in supporting local economies, but poorly supported tourism puts pressure on local communities and the landscape, and undermines the visitor experience. We are proud of the fact that we commissioned the report ‘Who Pays for the Lake District?’. The report has kick-started the debate over how the problems associated with visitor numbers and private vehicle journeys might be managed through the introduction of the types of visitor levies used across the world in areas experiencing similar pressures. One thing is certain, funding to the national park and local authorities will not be exempt from wider cutbacks in public spending.

It is good practice to question the relevance of a charitable organisation. Given the challenges facing the Lake District (I have not even mentioned the need to clean up our waterways, lakes and the sea, or the threat of pylons being reintroduced), I hope that you will agree with me in concluding that Friends is increasingly relevant.

Many thanks for your continued support.

Malcolm Boswell

Chair, Friends of the Lake District

If you want to support our work to protect and enhance Cumbrian and Lake District landscapes, why not become a member or make a donation? 

Read our 2024/25 Annual Review as a flip book below or download it as a PDF.