'Let people vote on Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national park changes' (From The Westmorland Gazette)

'Let people vote on Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national park changes'

7:50am Thursday 17th December 2009 in News

A REFERENDUM is the only fair way to decide whether the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks should be expanded, according to Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron.

The Lib Dem’s countryside spokesman said only those people whose lives could be affected by park expansion should have the final say on whether it goes ahead.

Mr Farron spoke out after Natural England announced a three-month consultation exercise on the proposal would begin tomorrow.

The MP said: “There should be a proper referendum for everyone in each proposed area for extension and the Government should abide by the outcome.

“It is a huge decision. People in South Lakeland and Eden are being asked to give up their democratic rights, espcially with regard to issues such as planning and housing.

“In my constituency, planning decisions outside the existing national park areas are made by South Lakeland District Council, a fully democratically-elected body.

"If these proposed changes are accepted, decisions would be made by a national park authority, which is not elected.”

Mr Farron's call was echoed by his Conservative opponent, Gareth McKeever, who said: "I welcome the proposed consultation but would argue that inclusion or otherwise should be ultimately be a decision for those who live in the areas adjacent to the two national parks.

'With that in mind I very much hope that this is a genuine consultation and that the wishes of local people are properly listened to."

Douglas Chalmers, director of Kendal-based CLA North, said: “Many of our members will be affected by this. Some of them will have concerns that we are going to get an increase in beaurocracy and more legislation to work with.

“In particular, we have fears about what may happen with regards to planning policies. Although there will be some of our members who will benefit from being in a national park, some will be worried about how it will affect their businesses.”

Both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national park authorities said they had yet to decide on their formal positions regarding expansion.

However, the Friends of the Lake District charity, which works to conserve the landscape, welcomed park expansion as a ‘real economic opportunity.

David Vose, leader of the Lakes and Dales Designation Project for Natural England, said: “As part of the consultation we are planning a series of drop-in events to explain the proposals and encourage people to respond. We will also place information in libraries and tourist information centres and send every household in the areas concerned a postcard explaining how to get involved.

We want to understand as many people’s views as possible.”

AFFECTED AREAS If the proposal goes ahead - the Lake District National Park would expand in the north to take in Birkbeck Feels to Whinfell and in the south Helsington Barrows to Sizergh Fell and the Lyth Valley.

the Yorkshire Dales National Park would take over the Northern Howgill Fells, Mallerstang and Wild Boar Fell, Middleton, Barbon and Leck Fells, Firbank Fell and the Lower Lune Valley and adjacent fells to the west.

Orton Fell could become part of LDNP or YDNP.