Public views to shape the future of the Dales (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Public views to shape the future of the Dales

4:00pm Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News By Rachel Ryan

THE future of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is being mapped out following a survey of visitors and residents.

Wide-ranging views on the big issues for the park are being used to create a new strategy for its development.

People who live, work or holiday in the park were asked what they loved about it, what annoyed them and what they wanted to see in years to come.

Now, after a huge response to the questionnaire, the comments are being used to help shape a new, five-year management plan that will set out how it should be looked after in the future.

The plan is being produced by a partnership of 15 organ-isations, which include district and county councils, the Envir-onment Agency, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and Natural England.

Carl Lis, the chairman of the partnership, said: “I was struck by the fact that hundreds of people went to the trouble to write their views in detail – we have gained new insights into many of the issues that provoke people’s passions.

“Comments covered every-thing from the design of new buildings and affordable housing for local people to the provision of public transport and the maintenance of footpaths.”

Ann Brooks, the YDNPA’s member for sustainable develop-ment, said: “The national park was designated in 1954 because of its spectacular landscape – meaning that the area has the highest status for the conserv-ation of landscape.

“Unlike ‘wilderness parks’ in some other countries, it’s the way that people and nature have interacted that has shaped how the national park looks today with its incredible natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage. We want to put this interaction at the centre of the new plan – so the thoughts and opinions of the public are crucially important.”

Feedback is being taken into account, along with a series of reports setting out key issues for the national park – available at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/yournmpm – by the groups that are drafting initial ideas for the new management plan.

A draft of it will be available for public comment in the autumn.