The Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales National Parks are surely big enough already right? They’re already England’s two largest National Parks, and it takes days to walk across them. But hang on a minute, just because they are big doesn’t mean that they are big enough…
When National Parks were designated in the 1950s, the process of drawing up their boundaries was done differently – there were no GIS tools, or lengthy public inquiries poring over detailed boundary lines. Instead the process was swift and in some ways blunt, often latching onto administrative boundaries which had little or no meaning in the landscape.
There is no better place to illustrate this than the Howgills – the southern part of this magnificent range of hills is within the Yorkshire Dales National Park boundary but the northern part is outside. If you visit the area you’d be fooled into thinking it was all within the National Park. It certainly should be.
The stunning Howgills landscape
The northern Howgills is but one of a number of stunning landscapes that for various reasons were left out of the original boundaries for the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. Other areas waiting in the wings include Mallerstang, Barbondale, Borrowdale (Westmorland) and the limestone intricacies of the Orton Fells.
The limestone delights of the Orton Fells
We now have a once in a lifetime chance to right these old landscape boundary wrongs. Following detailed surveys and consultation, Natural England has recommended that these areas should be included within the boundaries of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. The government is holding a final consultation, before it makes its decision. There will probably be a public inquiry later in 2012.
The role that National Parks play in helping to lift the spirits and well-being of our society (fresh air, exercise, peace, space, wildlife and a whole lot more) in our increasingly stressed world will only grow and grow. Their value economically, socially and environmentally to the future cannot be overstated as our human needs grow with world population levels.
You can help to secure long term protection, co-ordinated management and real economic benefits for these wonderful landscapes and their communities by responding to the consultation or writing to your MP. Please see here to find out more details on how you can help and what points to include in your response.
Ruth Chambers' Blog 