In January 2012, Natural England made Variation Orders recommending extensions to the boundaries of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales National Parks. Over 3,000 representations were received in response to the proposals, including objections from five local authorities.

As part of the detailed assessment of the new areas for inclusion, Natural England considered the environmental, social, economic and recreational impacts that designation would be likely to bring, including the opportunities that they provide for open air recreation.

On 29 January 2013, the Minister for the Environment, Richard Benyon announced that a local Public Inquiry into the proposed boundary changes has been commissioned.  As a first step, a pre-Inquiry meeting will be held in early March. I t is expected the Inquiry itself will open in early June and last approximately four weeks.  The Planning Inspector will then set out his conclusions in a report to the Secretary of State.

Once the Secretary of State has received the Inspector’s report he will take a decision as to whether the case for designation has been made and he will either confirm one or both of the Variation Orders (with or without modifications) or reject them.

More information on Natural England’s proposals can be obtained here

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