Two years ago today, a report about national parks landed on the environment secretary’s desk. It concerned the proposed expansion of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, an idea which has been subject to 14 years of feasibility studies, public inquiries and consultations, at a cost of nearly £600,000. It is disappointing that the report has languished ever since in the secretary of state’s in-tray and the government has not yet made a decision. It is time that it did so.
The proposal is straightforward: to designate as national park roughly 200 square miles of land lying between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales national parks, forming a bridge between the two. The plan has the backing of local residents and businesses, in addition to that of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the Campaign for National Parks, Friends of the Lake District — whose idea it first was — and the Yorkshire Dales Society. The concerns of five local authorities have been addressed at three public consultations, the last of which, in 2012, found 93 per cent in favour.
In its election manifesto, the government promised “to put in place stronger protections for our natural landscapes”. It is therefore difficult to understand why this has not been expedited, even as there are question marks over the future of the green belt. It is possible that there are concerns regarding increased costs at a time of budget cuts. However, national park status does not simply ensure landscape conservation. It also generates income.
Natural England described this as a significant decision which must be carefully considered. It is and it has been. The government has had ample time for consideration. The logic for merging the two parks is obvious, the support to do so overwhelming. The proposals should be approved.