Video: Taking Yorkshire out of the Dales...

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Concerns are growing that the Yorkshire could be taken out of it, sparking the latest chapter in a bitter rivalry which stretches back through the centuries.

Plans to extend the national park's boundaries into a small part of Lancashire have provoked controversy amid fears that the Yorkshire Dales could be re-branded to accommodate the North-West.

Rivalry between the two counties has simmered ever since the houses of Lancaster and York clashed for the throne of England during the 15th-century Wars of the Roses.

Now members of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority are drawing the battle lines for a 21st century fight to prevent a change in name which they fear is becoming increasingly likely.

Coun John Blackie, who represents North Yorkshire County Council on the national park authority, has launched a campaign to drum up grassroots support to preserve the Yorkshire Dales.

He has written to parish councils to warn them that the boundary extension into Lancashire and further into Cumbria could see the Yorkshire Dales National Park being re-named to accommodate the new areas. Coun Blackie said: "There are some very real concerns that what makes the Yorkshire Dales so special could well be diluted by the boundary changes.

"There must be some geographic anchor if we are to keep the Yorkshire Dales special – the scenery is iconic and is the very definition of what Yorkshire is about.

"If we do not protect the name and identity, then we are doing the people of Yorkshire a great disservice."

Natural England announced plans at the end of last year to include a series of new beauty spots in both Cumbria and Lancashire within the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The new areas lie between the Dales and the Lake District National Park and include Northern Howgill Fells, Mallerstang and Wild Boar Fell, Leck Fells, between Deepdale and Kirkby Lonsdale, Firbank Fell and the Lower Lune Valley.

Coun Blackie has also raised concerns that local democracy will be undermined as members representing Yorkshire Dales communities could be replaced by councillors from local authorities in Lancashire and Cumbria.

Current members for North Yorkshire County Council, Richmondshire District Council and Craven District Council could be ditched in favour of representatives for Eden District Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster City Council.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is seeking assurances from Natural England that the number of its members would be increased if the boundary extension went ahead to accommodate representatives from Cumbria and Lancashire.

The Yorkshire Dales Society's president, Bill Mitchell, said the new areas proposed for inclusion traditionally acted as a "buffer zone" between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District.

Mr Mitchell said: "It would be a pity to absorb them into the Yorkshire Dales National Park. These areas have a very distinct identity, and I do feel that the tremendous traditions and local allegiances would be eroded."

Natural England advisor Christoph Kratz admitted that Eden District Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster City Council would all be entitled to be represented if the national park boundaries were extended.

However, he maintained that North Yorkshire would still be the largest county in the national park, and its membership of the authority would reflect this.

Mr Kratz added: "Our proposals complement the landscapes currently in the Yorkshire Dales."

Proposals mean increase in size

Plans to extend the Yorkshire Dales National Park's boundaries could see its size increase dramatically.

The national park was established in 1954 and now covers 680 square miles, although the proposals to extend the boundaries further into Cumbria and include a small part of Lancashire could see its size increase by nearly a quarter.

The plans announced by Natural England in December could mean that another 156 square miles are included – an increase of nearly 23 per cent.

A total of 81 square miles of the national park currently falls in Cumbria, although the remainder is within North Yorkshire.

A consultation exercise will continue until next month and the results will inform any decision that Natural England makes.

Confirmation of any new boundaries would then subject to approval by the Environment Secretary, currently Leeds Central MP Hilary Benn, and there could be a public inquiry.

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