Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks Boundary Review

Proposed extensions to the Yorkshire Dales National Park boundary

The north west of England has some of the finest landscapes in the country. Many of these are already protected as National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Natural England (NE) are the public body responsible for conserving and enhancing the natural environment in England. They are currently considering whether some of the area of countryside between the western boundary of the Yorkshire Dales and eastern boundary of the Lake District National Park (M6 Lune valley corridor) should be designated as extensions to these National Parks.

Many people wonder what difference living in a national park might make. If you would like to find out more information on what it means to be in the Yorkshire Dales National Park the summary document, Desirability to Designate, explains more.

If you would like to find out more detail about the similarities and differences relating to planning the summary document, Planning in a National Park explains more.

A detailed description of the areas under consideration including maps of the areas being considered, and how the designation process works can be found on the Lakes to Dales Landscape Designation Project page of the Natural England website.

Proposed extensions and further information

Following in-depth studies Natural England have now put forward proposals to extend the Yorkshire Dales National Park:

• Yorkshire Dales North:
  Mallerstang and Wild Boar Fell, The Northern Howgills

• Yorkshire Dales West
  Barbon, Leck and Middleton Fells, The Upper Lune Valley to the north of Kirkby Lonsdale

• Orton Fells (including the settlements of Ravenstonedale and Newbiggin-on-Lune)
  The Orton Fells area is being considered as both a possible further extension to the Lake District East extension and as a possible Yorkshire Dales North extension. Natural England hope the consultation will assist in determining the best option for this area.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has recognised for some time that the western boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park has followed an old administrative boundary, rather than any differences in natural beauty or landscape characteristics on the ground. It has welcomed the proposals and has responded positively to the areas above (including the Orton Fells) being designated as part of the National Park. The reasons for this response can be read by downloading the Authority paper below:

Download the Authority paper concerning the Boundary Review