The time has come for all those of us who support our Orton Fells' inclusion in The Dales National Park to write in to the Secretary of State for The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spelman to voice our support and suggest amendments. Please note that local representatives in the Orton Fells Group are having some large post cards with local images on them specifically made for this purpose that will be passed out soon to residents of  The Orton Fells area who support the proposals (with space for amendments if you wish).

Why would this be a good idea?

It is likely that our Orton Fells'  inclusion in the National Park would help conserve the natural beauty of this lovely area of  Westmorland for our own and future generations and would facilitate considerable economic uplift for local businesses while being an asset to the Nation. The inclusion of our area is long overdue, everybody agrees that the natural beauty warrants conservation. Some of the most beautiful Dales in the National Park are Cumbrian and in no sense would our section of the Park be a "poor cousin", we would preserve our identity under a wider banner that truly does deserve special status for landscape quality.

Naming

We have had the spoken assurance of The Dales National Park's Chief Executive (at the January 19th Fells To Dales Business Forum meeting in Kirkby Stephen) that the naming of our area of the Park will be arranged to best suit local wishes, for example The Westmorland Fells or Westmorland Dales. This may well be resolved at a Public inquiry, should we have one, later in the year.

Economic Benefit

At the same meeting we heard estimates of anticipated economic benefit for local businesses involved in tourism to be somewhere between 10 and 20% increase in annual turn-over, with the duration in occupancy expected to be extended to about 34 weeks in the year.

Amendments

At this stage we can still ask for amendments to the planning, if we wish. One important amendment to request would be the adoption of the northern boundary proposed by The Friends of The Lake District that would include land with superb views around Reagill and Sleagill. A good deal of thought has gone into this boundary suggestion and it enjoys popular support among many of the residents of those Parishes.

Making Your Voices Heard - Key Points

• In your communication please include your name, address and signature and include your message. Do refer to the benefits above as justification if you wish.
• Each member of your household may write in separately with equal validity.
• Numbers count.
• This is a once in a life-time opportunity that will have far-reaching and long lasting benefits for us and the Nation.

The address to write to, please, is:

Department for The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,

Protected Landscapes Team,

Zone 1/09 Temple Quay House,

2 The Square, Temple Quay,

Bristol

BS1 6EB

Or by email to  nwvariationorders@defra.gsi.gov.uk

The deadline for getting our messages to The Secretary of State is March 16th.

For more information, please see the Fells To Dales Section of  Natural England's Website

Lakes to Dales Landscape Designation

Broadening perspectives:

Exploring the influence small business can play in shaping the future of our region

 Lakes to Dales Business Forum

Over forty Upper Eden businesses attended a Business Networking Event organised by the Upper Eden Future and Kirkby Stephen Town Forum groups in Kirkby Stephen on Thursday 19 January to discuss how the proposed National Park extension may bring economic opportunities to the area.

Upper Eden Future member Sir Martin Holdgate chaired the event at the King’s Arms in Kirkby Stephen. Speakers were Jack Ellerby of Friends of the Lake District, highlighting evidence that National Park status was good news for business, and Kyle Blue Orton Parish Chairman speaking on behalf of supportive businesses who could see their turnover increase by between 10 and 20%.

Sir Martin Holdgate said “There is no doubt that the proposed five extension areas meet the statutory tests for being in a National Park – outstanding natural beauty and great recreational opportunity. The consultations carried out over the last two years by Natural England have clearly shown that the vast majority of people support the park extensions. Some have perceived however that coming into a National Park would hold back their businesses, so we organised this event for business people to hear the facts for themselves.”

David Butterworth Chief Executive and Kathryn Beardmore Director of Park Services with the Dales National Park attended the meeting to hear everyone’s views and answer questions about how they work with the business community. They made it very clear that the ‘Yorkshire’ brand would not be imposed if the Dales National Park extends further into Cumbria and that the ‘Westmorland’ or ‘Eden’ identity would be fully recognised and protected by the Park Authority. Settle was quoted as an example of a town on the edge of the National Park that has capitalised on the strong ‘brand’ and from which Kirkby Stephen could learn lessons for its future economic regeneration.

Kyle Blue, Orton Parish Chairman, had carried out a survey of businesses in the Orton and Ravenstonedale area to gauge their views on National Park status. He said:
“The overwhelming majority of businesses, especially those with a visitor customer base, were highly supportive. Many of these businesses are also vital to the social well-being of our local village communities, such as pubs and village shops. They feel that the National Park brand will lift their prospects for growth in a very poor economic climate and create more jobs for local people.”

In conclusion, the meeting urged Cumbria’s County and District politicians to take notice of local businesses views and the growing membership of the Lakes to Dales Business Forum.

LTD Meeting Jan 19th

Messages To The SoS about Lakes to Dales Planning.

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