Working together for the future of the Lake District National Park
Written by John Williamson on 03/11/2021
A new five year plan to care for the Lake District National Park and World Heritage Site has been formally adopted, and will set the direction for collaboration on the biggest challenges facing the Lake District.
Stephen Henwood, Chair of the Lake District National Park Partnership commented:
“The key challenges identified in the plan are critical to the future of the Lake District, our landscape, our communities, the Lake District as a place to work and as a truly national asset for our health and wellbeing. This new plan highlights that these key points are not the responsibility of any one organisation in isolation. Rather, that by working together all members of the Partnership can make positive changes to benefit the Lake District.
“Today marks the start of the journey and we appreciate that local and wider action is also needed to collectively make progress on the key challenges in the plan.”
The Lake District National Park Partnership, made up of 25 organisations, has set out and agreed a number of bold actions to care for the National Park, its people and communities and its special landscape. It includes local and regional councils, charitable and voluntary organisations along with other key landowners and stakeholders.
This new Plan to care for the Lake District is informed by evidence and consideration of the current and changing context locally, nationally and globally. It was shaped by extensive engagement in difficult circumstances. The Partnership spoke with a wide range of people like local farmers, businesses and community groups and a public consultation when they heard from residents and visitors who confirmed collaborative action is required on the key challenges which include:
- Vibrant communities and prosperous economy
- Climate action – achieving net zero and adapting to climate change
- Future of farming and forestry, nature recovery and climate change
- A Lake District for everyone
- Sustainable travel and transport
Stephen Ratcliffe, Director of Sustainable Development at the Lake District National Park Authority added: “I’d like to express my gratitude to all those who contributed to the development of the plan – either by engaging with the Partnership or through the public consultation. We will follow up offers of support to get involved as we work together to deliver the plan for the future vision for the Lake District for the next five years and beyond.”
Sarah Swindley, Chief Executive of The Lake District Foundation said: “We see this plan as positive, collaborative and ambitious and are proud to endorse. We will commit to playing a key role in helping secure resource to deliver. We will work to ensure that the Lake District is truly accessible to everyone and that we face together the huge challenge of climate change.
The plan can be viewed in full at https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/caringfor/lake-district-national-park-partnership/management-plan.
