Plan to push Dales boundary further across Pennines goes to consultation

The latest round of consultations is beginning today at a cost of £10,000 to glean the public’s views on the proposals to increase the national park’s size by almost 25 per cent.

The project has already cost more than £150,000 as Natural England, which is behind the plans, is facing more than £40m in cutbacks.

But project manager David Vose stressed that Natural England had a “moral and legal obligation” to gather the public’s opinions.

Proposals have been revised following an initial consultation last year which led to 1,365 responses.

Mr Vose added: “A lot of time, effort and money has already been committed to the project, and we need to hear as many people’s opinions as possible.”

The plans have, however, provoked widespread controversy amid fears the Yorkshire Dales could be re-branded to accommodate the wider area it would cover.

Natural England is looking to include beauty spots in Cumbria and Lancashire within the boundaries of the national park.

While it already includes a large chunk of Cumbria, it would be the first time that a small part of Lancashire, called Leck Fells to the east of Kirkby Lonsdale, would be included.

The national park would increase in size from 680 square miles to 842 square miles.

The proposals would also see the Lake District National Park extended.

The latest public consultation will run until July 1, and public drop-in sessions will be held.

The plans will then be considered by Natural England in the autumn.

Further details are available by emailing [email protected] or calling 0300 060 2178.