Decision on
park borders
must wait

A FINAL decision on contentious plans to extend the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales National Park will not be made until the autumn at the earliest after planning inspectors spend the summer ploughing through evidence.

A public inquiry’s hearing drew to a close yesterday, although written closing statements can still be submitted ahead of a July 5 deadline.

The Planning Inspectorate will then consider the evidence over the summer, before a final report is due to be handed to Environment Secretary Owen Paterson in September for him to make a final decision on the plans to extend the national park’s boundaries.

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The public inquiry’s hearing began on Tuesday last week in Kendal in Cumbria and also heard evidence for a proposed extension of the Lake District National Park.

Natural England claimed plans to increase the Yorkshire Dales National Park from 680 square miles to 842 square miles is necessary to protect the landscapes and boost tourism and recreation.

But opponents fear the proposals to incorporate part of Lancashire and more of Cumbria could see the iconic name of the Yorkshire Dales lost forever.

Natural England agreed to the plans in 2011, but objections were then raised by county councils in Cumbria, Lancashire and North Yorkshire as well as district councils for Eden and Richmondshire, which claimed the expansion could have a negative impact on rural communities.