PRESIDENT of the Friends of the Lake District Lord Frank Judd is stepping down after seven years.

He has been president since 2005 during which time the organisation has been involved in a number of major campaigns.

It includes stopping the Whinash wind farm, opposing a large holiday lodge development at Low Borrowdale, and during the past year, helping the Government change its mind about selling off the nation’s forests. Lord Judd has also been involved in work in the Lords on National Park and countryside issues including the new National Planning Policy Framework.

“It’s been an inspiring seven years working with the dedicated staff, supporters and volunteers of Friends of the Lake District,” said Lord Judd. “We’ve faced many challenges and there is still much work to be done.

“Some of the future challenges include the upgrade of the distribution network of the national grid and potential new large electricity pylons, the implementation and consequences of new planning and local government legislation, and the vital need for affordable housing for genuinely local people.

“‘When our countryside and national parks are all under pressure from development I am certain that the need for organisations like Friends of the Lake District, who campaign to protect our environment, has never been greater, and I wish them every success in future.”

The new president will be Lord Inglewood. A landowner and farmer he is also vice president of the Campaign for National Parks, and president of Cumbria Wildlife Trust and of Cumbria Tourism.