A sort of national property…Managing the Lake District National Park: the first 60 years

Jeremy Rowan Robinson

Contents

Preface 2

The Lake District Planning Board Inthebeginning 3Electricitysupply 6Watersupply 8Roadimprovements 10Theclosureoftherailways 10Thewardens’service 11Carparksandinformationservice 13Hassness 14NationalParkCentre 14Royalvisit 15Footandmouth 15Regulatingmotorboats 15Uplandmanagement 1621stbirthday 16

The Lake District Special Planning Board Thefirstyear 17Planpreparation 19Housingforlocals 20Regulatingtheuseofthelakes 22Windermere 23EnnerdaleandWastwater 24NationalParkOfficer 24Propertyacquisition 25Developmentcontrol 28Thewardens’service 29Theinformationservice 30Access 31Uplandmanagement 34Brockhole 34Youthandschoolsliaison 35Sponsorship 35TheNationalParkReviewPanel 36

The Lake District National Park Authority Thefirstyear 371997to2004 382005to2011 41

Conclusion 49

Chairmen 51

Acknowledgements 52

19741997

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1997 date

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WilliamWordsworthinhisGuide to the Lake DistrictreferredtotheLakeDistrictas“asortofnationalproperty,inwhicheverymanhasarightandinterestwhohasaneyetoperceiveandahearttoenjoy”.Theareawasofficiallyrecognisedashavingsomeoftheaspectsof‘anationalproperty’whenitwasformallydesignatedasanationalparkin1951.Atthesametime,aBoard,theLakeDistrictPlanningBoard,wasestablishedtofulfilthenationalparkpurposes.Itwastobeinpartaguardianandinpartastewardofthe‘nationalproperty’.

ThisisabriefaccountoftheworkoftheBoardanditssuccessorsoverthefirst60yearsoftheirexistence.Itshowshowthesebodieshavetackledthetwinstatutorypurposesofnationalparks.Thewordingofthepurposeshasbeenenlargedovertheyears;thecurrentwordingreferstoconservingandenhancingthenaturalbeauty,wildlifeandculturalheritageoftheareaandpromotingopportunitiesforenjoymentandunderstandingofthespecialqualitiesoftheareabythepublic.Thisaccountalsoshowshow,indischargingthesepurposes,theyhaveattemptedtofostertheeconomicandsocialwell-beingofthecommunitiesintheNationalPark.Indoingso,itprovidesaninsightintothesortofissueswithwhichtheBoardanditssuccessorshavehadtocontendandafeelfortherangeofworkwhichtheyhaveundertaken.

The60thanniversaryofthedesignationoftheLakeDistrictNationalParkmaynotseemanobviousmilestoneatwhichtoproducesuchanaccount.The50thanniversarywouldhavebeenmoreappropriatebutthatcelebrationwasamutedaffairbecauseoftheadventofafootandmouthepidemic.

Thisaccountdoesnotsetouttobeacomprehensiverecord.Nordoesitnecessarilyrelateallthemostimportantevents.Indeed,peoplewouldprobablynotagreeaboutwhatwasimportantoverthisperiod.Thechoicehasbeensubjective,butinmakingit,referencehasbeenmadetotheAnnualReports,totheminutesandtoPutting Something Back,SheilaRichardson’scelebrationof50yearsofvolunteering.IhavealsobeenabletospeaktoanumberofthosepeoplewhowerecloselyconcernedandIampleasedtobeabletoacknowledgetheirhelp.Theirnamesarelistedattheend.

Ahistoryofanationalparkauthoritymaynotimmediatelyseemlikeapage-turner.However,thisaccountisnotintendedforairportbookstalls.ItisaddressedtothosewhohavebeenassociatedwiththeBoardanditssuccessorsinsomeway,whetherasstaff,members,volunteersorpartners.Forthecasualreader,theremaybeanelementofthehumdrumaboutthiscastofplayersandaboutthemattersinwhichtheyhavebeenengaged.ButforthosewhohavebeenassociatedwiththeBoardanditssuccessors,theremaybesomethingofcuriosity,ofinterest,ofamusementand,possibly,ofsatisfactioninthesepagesbecauseasShakespeareobserves“thereishistoryinallmen’slives”.

JeremyRowanRobinson

Preface

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In the beginning…

TheLakeDistrictPlanningBoardwasconstitutedbyOrderoftheMinisteron13thAugust1951.

1951wasthesecondyearoftheKoreanWar;rationingwasstillinforceformanyitemsoffood;inthegeneralelectionthatyeartheConservativesunderWinstonChurchilldefeatedClementAttlee’spostwarLabourgovernment;theFestivalofBritainwasopenedbyKingGeorgeVI;NewcastleUnitedwontheFACupforthefourthyearrunning;thecomicstripDennistheMenaceappearedforthefirsttimeintheBeano;thefirstepisodeof‘TheArchers’wasbroadcast;theWestmorlandGazettereportedthat,attheannualmeetingoftheBlencathraHunt,memberswerepleasedtohearthatthedemandfortheJohnPeelstrainofhoundswasasstrongaseverandthatLoftyandDangerhadbeensoldtoAustraliafor15guineasandwerehuntingkangaroosmostsatisfactorily;andtheStoneofScone,stolenbyScottishNationalists,wasrecoveredfromArbroathAbbey.

TheLakeDistrictwasthesecondnationalparktobedesignatedintheUnitedKingdom,thePeakDistrictNationalParkhavingbeendesignatedearlierintheyear.Covering2,292squarekilometres,theLakeDistrictisEngland’slargestnationalpark.TheNationalParksandAccesstotheCountrysideAct1949providedthatwhereanationalparklaywithintheareaofmorethanonelocalplanningauthority,ajointplanningboardshouldbesetuptodischargethenationalparkpurposes.Atthetimeofdesignation,theLakeDistrictNationalParklaywithintheareaofthreeplanningauthorities:thecountycouncilsofCumberland,LancashireandWestmorland.Accordingly,theLakeDistrictPlanningBoardwascreatedtodischargethenationalparkpurposes.IttookoverfromaJointPlanningCommitteewhichhadbeensetupvoluntarilybytheconstituentcountycouncilsin1946inanticipationofthedesignation,astepwhichwasregardedinsomequartersasanattempttoretainlocalcontroloftheParkandinothersasanattempttodemonstratethatnospecialadministrativeregimewasrequiredforthePark.

TheLakeDistrictPlanningBoardOrder1951providedforaboardof18members,fourappointedbyeachofthecountycouncilsandsixnominatedbytheMinisterandappointedbythecountycouncilsjointly.Atitsfirstmeeting,CharlesRoberts,ChairmanofCumberlandCountyCouncil,waselectedChairmanoftheBoard.TheOrderalsoprovidedthattheClerkofWestmorlandCountyCouncil,KennethHimsworth,shouldactasClerktotheBoarduntilsuchtimeastheBoardshouldmakeotherarrangements.Infact,theBoardcontinuedthisarrangementrightupuntilitsdemisein1974andtheCountyTreasurerofWestmorlandwasappointedTreasurertotheBoard.Initially,theseofficersreceivedsalariesof£250and£50respectivelyfortheirduties.Subsequently,thesesumswerecommutedtoalumpsumpayableannuallytoWestmorlandCountyCouncilforalladministrative,legalandfinancialservices.

The Lake District Planning Board

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Arrangementsfortheappointmentofplanningofficersprovedmorecontentious.ThethreecountycouncilsexpressedtheviewthattheBoardmightrelyuponthefreeuseoftheplanningstaffofthethreecounties.TheNationalParksCommission,ontheotherhand,consideredthattheBoardshouldappointitsownplanningstaff.Eventually,theBoarddecidedtorelyontheservices,freeofcharge,ofthethreecountycouncilsandthiswasthepositionuntilthedemiseoftheBoardin1974.PlanningserviceswereprovidedforthenorthernareaoftheParkbyCumberlandCountyCouncilplannersbasedinCarlisle,forthecentralandeasternpartoftheParkbyWestmorlandCountyCouncilplannersbasedinKendal,andforthesouthwesternpartoftheParkbytheLancashireCountyCouncilplannersbasedinLancaster.

Kendal,aboutamileoutsidethesouthernboundaryoftheNationalPark,wasadoptedastheregularmeetingplaceoftheBoardanditscommitteesanditwasfromWestmorlandCountyHallinKendalthattheadministrationoftheParkwascarriedon.Kendalwasconsideredtobethelocationinadifficultgeographicalareawhichcausedtheleastinconvenienceintravellingforthemajorityofmembersandofficers.Althoughtheofficeshavechanged,thetownhasremainedthelocationofthemainofficefortheadministrationoftheNationalParktothepresenttime.

The1951OrderprovidedthatthePlanningBoardshouldpreceptontheconstituentcountycouncilsforitsmoney.Inotherwords,nationalparkexpenditurewas,tosomeextent,toberateborne.In1954-55theBoardobservedthat:

“thereisnodoubtthattheburdenplacedonthelocalcountyratebythepreceptsystemofgrantsforNationalParks…hasbeenthecausetosomedegreeoftheantipathywhichhasbeenexpressedinsomepartsofthecountrytowardstheestablishmentofNationalParks”.

Tolimittheburdenonthelocalrate,aceilingof£7,500intotal,or£2,500percouncil,wasprescribedforthepreceptinanyoneyear,unlessthecouncilsbetweenthemagreedtoahigherfigure.ThepreceptuponeachcouncilforthefirstfullyearoftheBoard’soperationwas£1,995.Thisceilingwasadequateforthefirsttenyears,butforthefinancialyear1961-62theBoard,withtheagreementofthecouncils,hadtoexceedtheceilingandlevyapreceptof£3,780oneachcouncil.Thishadrisento£19,000percouncilbythefinancialyear1972-73.

TheFirst‘Annual’ReportoftheBoardcoveringtheperiodfrom13August1951to31March1953givessomeideaoftheissueswithwhichithadtocontend.TheBoardexercisedallplanningpowersfortheareaoftheNationalParkandanearlyfocusofattentionwasthepreparationofadevelopmentplan,arequirementintroducedforthefirsttimebythePlanningActin1947.ThiswaseventuallyapprovedbytheMinisterafterapublicinquiryin1956.Itwasreviewedin1965.Fromthestart,memberswereengagedindeterminingplanningapplicationsbutasystemofdelegationtodistrictcouncilsoperatedforapplicationswhichdidnotraiseissuesofconcerntotheNationalPark.Basically,thismeantthatdistrictcouncilscouldmakeadecisionprovideditwasinlinewiththerecommendationoftheplanningofficer.Asanindicatorofworkload,in1953-54some343applicationswerereceivedofwhich243weredeterminedbydistrictcouncils.Thereweresevenplanningappeals.Overthenexttwentyyears,thetrendshowedasteadyincreaseinthenumberofapplicationsand,interestingly,asteadyincreaseinthenumberdeterminedbytheBoard’sDevelopmentControlCommittee.By1972-73,for

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example,theBoardwasreceivingsome1,700applicationsayear,andoftheseonlyabout500weredeterminedbythedistricts.Theproportionofrefusalsstoodat26percent.Inthesameyear42appealswereoutstandingatthebeginningoftheyearandafurther61werelodged,mostofwhichweredealtwithbypublicinquiry.

Oneapplicationin1953-54whichtheBoardfeltboundtorefuseinvolvedanextensiontoBlackSailYouthHostelatanelevationof925feetattheheadoftheEnnerdalevalley.

Theproposalwastoconstructitwithconcreteblocksandroughcastandwithareinforcedconcreteroof!Membersfeltthiswouldnotharmonisewiththemainbuilding,anoldshepherd’sbothybuiltoflocalstone.TheYouthHostelisbackontheagendaofthePlanningCommitteeatthetimeofwritingthisaccount(see page 48).

Problemsoverdesignwerealsoencounteredindealingswithgovernmentdepartments.Developmentbygovernmentdepartmentswasexemptfromplanningcontrolbutaconsultationprocedureoperated.FollowingaruninwiththeAirMinistryoverthedesignofRoyalObserverCorpspostsandthePostOfficeoverthedesignofRuralAutomaticTelephoneexchangestheBoardventeditsfrustrationinitsAnnualReportfor1951-53byrecommending,some-whatoptimistically,totheMinister:

“thatanearlyopportunityshouldbetakentosecureconsiderationatCabinetleveloftheobligationsofgovernmentdepartmentsundertakingdevelopmentsinNationalParks,tobefollowedbyanuncompromisingstatementinParliamentthatDepartmentshavebeeninstructedthattheymustpaymorethanlipservicetotheNationalParkmovement”.

Duringthefirstyear,theRuslandBeeches,awellknownstandof108trees,alloverahundredyearsold,liningtheroadbetweenRuslandandNewbyBridgewerethesubjectofthefirstTreePreservationOrderinitiatedbytheBoard.TheOrderwastooccupytheBoardanditssuccessorsfromtimetotimeoverthenext60years.TheobjectoftheOrderwastoprovideavehicleforconsultationwiththeownerforthereplacementoftheoldertrees,someofwhichwereabout135yearsold.AnapplicationundertheOrderin1957tofellall108treeswasrefusedandeventuallymanagementofthetreeswaspassedtotheFriendsofLakeDistrict.Insubsequentyears,21ofthetreeswhichhadbecomedangerouswerefelled.Eventually,in1974,theNationalParktookoverresponsibilityformanagementand,forawhile,itlookedasifitwouldsimplypresideovertheinevitable.By1997theoriginalavenueof108treeswasdownto54andotherswereinadangerouscondition.TheNationalParkappliedtotheMinisterforpermissionundertheOrdertofelltheremainder.However,afterconsideration,theMinisterrefusedtoallowthisandinstead,afurtherfourwerefelledandtreesurgeryandbracingwasputinhandforafurther35.SomeofthetimberwasusedtocreateplaygroundfurnitureforLindaleVillageSchool.Thegoodnewsisthat60replacementbeechtreeswereplantedinthegapstorestoretheavenue.

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Black Sail Youth Hostel.

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Campingandcaravanning,particularlythelatter,weregrowinginpopularityinthe1950sasameansofprovidingaholidayforthoseonmoderateincomesandthefirstAnnualReportshowsthattheBoardsawitasitsdutyinthoseearlyyearstoencouragetheprovisionoforganisedsites.NotonlydidtheBoardexerciseitsplanningpowersinapositivewaytosecurethisobjective,butitmadeitsowncontributiontowardstheprovisionofsites.In1952adecisionwasmadetoacquire,upgradeandsubstantiallyextendasmallexistingsiteatSilecroftonthewestcoast.Thenin1962NeaumCraginLangdalewasacquiredandlaidoutbytheBoardasacampingandcaravansitefor80caravansand75tents;andin1972theoldtuberculosissanatoriumatMeathopwasacquiredandleasedtotheCaravanClubtoprovide200units.Ironically,bythelatesixtiesandearlyseventies,thesituationhadchangedandtheBoardfounditselfstrugglingtocontainthegrowthofcaravansitesinthePark,thesheernumberandsizeofwhichwerethreateningthespectacularlandscapewhichpeoplecametoenjoy.

PressureforafforestationwasanotherissuewhichtheBoardhadtofaceinitsfirstyears.Afforestationdidnotrequireplanningpermission,yetthecommercialplantingoflargeblocksofevergreenconiferswithsharpedgesonopenfellsidescouldchangethewholecharacterofavalley.SofarasnewForestryCommissionplantingwasconcerned,arrangementswereinplaceforconsultation.ThesearrangementshadbeenintroducedlongbeforethedesignationoftheNationalParkandfollowedfromadecisionbytheCommissionin1935tobuyandplantconiferson7,000acresoffelllandinDunnerdaleandEskdale,notwithstandingaconsiderablepublicoutcry.Asaresultoftheoutcry,anagreementhadbeenenteredintobetweentheForestryCommissionandtheCouncilfortheProtectionofRuralEngland(actingthroughtheFriendsoftheLakeDistrict)in1936,inwhichtheCommissionundertooktorefrainfromacquiringanynewlandforplantingwithinanareaofalittleunder300squaremilesofthecentralLakeDistrict.Byandlargetheconsultationprocessworkedwell;buttheBoardwassurprisedbythesubstanceofsomeoftheproposalswithwhichitwasfaced.Notwithstandingtheagreement,theBoard,initsfirstyear,founditselfdealingwithaproposalforafforestationbytheCommissionatBaysbrowninLangdaleandproposalsatClaifeHeightsaboveWindermereandatBownessPointinEnnerdale.Subsequently,anamendmenttotheagreementin1954allowedtheCommissiontoacquirewoodlandwithinthecentralareawhichhadbeenunder‘timbertrees’in1936andwheretheobjectivewasthemaintenanceof,ortherestockingof,suchareaswithhardwoodspecies.

Insubsequentyears,theinadequacyoftheconsultationarrangementsforprivateafforestationofbarelandsurfacedasanissue.Zoningwasrejectedasasolutionbut,afternegotiation,agreementwaseventuallyreachedwiththeCountryLandownersAssociationandtheTimberGrowers’Organisationonaconsultationprocedureandthisprovedtobesatisfactoryinpractice.

Electricity supply

ItisimpossibleinarecordsuchasthistodealwithallthematterstowhichtheBoardturneditsattentionoverthenext21yearsbuttwomattersstandout.Inthefirst10yearsofitsexistence,thesinglemosttroublesomeissuewasthebringingofelectricitytothevalleys.TheAnnualReportfor1953-54statedthat:

“innofieldperhapsisastatementofNationalPolicymoreurgentlyneededthaninthatofelectricitydistribution”.

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JustunderaquarteroftheAnnualReportfortheyear1954-55wasdevotedtotheissue.ThedifficultyfortheBoardwasthat,ontheonehandithadnowishtodelaythesupplyofelectricitytopeopleinthevalleys.Ontheotherhand,theysharedtheviewoftheHobhouseCommittee(1947)that:

“largepolesandpylonscarryingoverheadelectricitywiresareoutofkeepingwiththedelicatequalityoftheLakeDistrictlandscape”.

ThesolutionwastolaylinesundergroundbutthiswasmoreexpensivefortheElectricityBoard.DisputesoccurredbetweenthetwoBoardsoverhowmuch,orifany,lineshouldbelaidundergroundinMartindale,Longsleddale,Troutbeck,Langdale,Deepdale,Hartsop,ButtermereandBorrowdale.

TheElectricityBoardeventuallyadoptedazoningschemewhichreflectedthephysicalproblemsofinstallationandacceptedthat,inparticularzones,itwouldnotrefusetolayanunremunerativelineorrequireanincreasedcapitalcontributionfromconsumersbecausealinewastobelaidundergroundinsteadofoverhead.Extremelyremoteareasinvolvingabnormallyhighexpenditurewereexcludedfromthezoningprogrammeanddeferreduntilalaterdate.TheNationalParkBoardconsideredthistobeareasonablysatisfactorypolicy.

OnesuchremoteareawherethebringingofelectricitywouldinvolveabnormallyhighexpenditurewasWasdaleHead.In1972localresidentsraisedthequestionofanelectricitysupply.ThePlanningBoard’spositionwasthatthewholelineshouldbelaidunderground.ThevalleyisoneofthemostunspoiledandisolatedintheNationalParkandisalmostcompletelywithouttreecover.TheElectricityBoard’sresponsewasthatitwas“amatterofhardfactthattheonlycriterionwhichwilldeterminewhetherornotWasdaleHeadreceivesapublicelectricitysupplyistheadequacyofthecommercial

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In Langdale, an overhead electricity line was installed taking advantage of the tree screen on the right. From there to the head of the valley, the line was placed underground.

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return”,whichmeantthattheresidentswouldhavetocontributeasubstantialamounttowardsthecostandthatwouldbedifficultifthelinewastobelaidunderground.Afterlengthynegotiations,anacceptablesolutionwasreachedwhichinvolvedanoverheadlinewherescreeningexisted,anundergroundlineinexposedareasand(amasterstrokeofcompromise)anunderwaterlineforthelengthofWastwater!

Water supply

Whileelectricitysupplywasthemainissueinthefirst10years,watersupplywasthemostdifficultissueofthesubsequent10years.Asanyonewholivesherewilltestify,alotofrainfallsintheLakeDistrict.The120squaremilesofthecentralfellshaveanannualrainfallofmorethan100inches.ManchesterCorporationhadalreadydamnedThirlmerein1890andhadacquiredpowerstodamHaweswaterin1929.ProbablythemostdramaticepisodeofthePlanningBoard’sexistencewasthebattlein1961-62,bothinandoutofParliament,overproposalsbyManchesterCorporationtodevelopfurtherlargesourcesofwatersupplyintheLakeDistrictbyturningUllswaterandBannisdaleintoreservoirs.Theproposalscameoutoftheblue.TheBoardandtheCountyCouncilsonlybecameawareofwhattheCorporationhadinmindinSeptember1961afterthefinaldecisionhadbeentakentopromoteaBillinthe1961-62ParliamentarySession.TheBillwasdepositedinitsfinalforminNovember.ThecampaigntosaveUllswaterandBannisdalewasnotableforthevehemenceandthemagnitudeofthesupportitcommanded.

TheBoardlodgedapetitioninoppositionandretainedcounselandthewaterclausesintheBillwereeventuallydefeatedbytheeloquenceofLordBirkettinadebateintheHouseofLordsinFebruary1962twodaysbeforehedied.

Aftertherejectionofthoseproposals,ameetingofallpartieswasconvenedtoconsiderthewayforward.TheCorporationmeantimeengagedconsultantswho,inFebruary1964,recommendedabstracting20milliongallonsdaily(mgd)fromUllswaterandpumpingitintoHaweswater,abstracting20mgd

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Dryhowe Bridge, Bannisdale, where the dam was to be constructed.

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fromWindermereandpumpingittotheThirlmereaqueductandconstructingahugenewreservoirintheWinstervalley.TheReservoirwouldhavebeenabouttwicethesizeofHaweswaterandwouldhaveinundatedthevillageofBowlandBridge.TheBoardobjectedstronglytotheproposedreservoirintheWinstervalley.ItindicateditwaswillingtodiscusstheproposedabstractionfromWindermerebutitobjectedtotheUllswaterproposal,statingthatitwouldbewillingtoconsiderabstractionfromtheRiverEamontasanalternative.TheCorporationdidnotproceedwiththeWinsterreservoirbutrespondedbypublishingadraftWaterOrderin1965providingforabstractionfrombothWindermereandUllswater.AnewelementintheOrderwastheproposaltodriveasecondtunnelfromHaweswatertoemergeattheheadoftheLongsleddalevalley.TheBoardlodgedobjectionstotheOrderbecauseoftheadverseeffectsofdrawdownofthelakesandthedamagewhichthenewaqueductwouldcausetoanunspoiledvalley.ApublicinquirywasheldinJuneof1965.TheMinister’sdecisioninMay1966approvedtheproposalsforabstractionfrombothWindermereandUllswater,subjecttotightcontrolsovertheinfrastructureandalimitondrawdownwasimposedforthelatter.

TheproposedaqueducttoLongsleddalewasrefused.Subsequently,in1971theCorporationcamebackwithaproposalforasecondaqueduct,thistimetoberoutedviaShap.AstheMinisterhadrefusedasecondaqueductin1966,theBoardfeltthatitwasfortheCorporationtojustifytheneedfortheadditionalcapacity.Inanyevent,itconsideredtheproposedcapacityofthenewaqueduct(55mgd)tobeexcessive.TheBoardvoiceditsreservationstoapublicinquiryinDecember1973.TheMinistersdecisionin1974acknowledgedthattheproposedaqueductwouldhavesparecapacitybutconsideredthatthiswasprudentinviewoftheageoftheCorporation’sothersupplylines.Thenewaqueductwasconstructed.

Overthesameperiod,theBoardwasalsodealingwithproposalsbytheWestCumberlandWaterBoardtoincreasethelevelofabstractionfromCrummockWater,bytheSouthCumberlandWaterBoardtoraisethelevelofEnnerdale,bytheCumberlandRiverAuthoritytoraisethelevelofBassenthwaiteandbytheFurnessWaterBoardtoincreasetheirrateofabstractionfromtheRiverDuddon.Inthelightofallthis,itisperhapsnotsurprisingthatsomeoneshouldhavesuggestedthattheLakeDistrictNationalParkmightmoreappropriatelybere-namedthe‘ReservoirDistrictNationalPark’!

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The Ullswater pumping station during construction – and after.

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Road improvements

RespondingtomajorroadschemesalsooccupiedquitealotoftheBoard’stimeoverthisperiod.ForemostamongthesewastheproposalbytheDepartmentoftheEnvironmentin1971toupgradetheA66fromPenrith,throughKeswicktoCockermouthtoprovidegoodroadcommunicationtoWestCumberland.TheBoardsupportedtheneedforgoodroadcommunicationbutunanimouslyopposedtheestablishmentofarouteforindustrialtrafficthroughtheNationalPark.Instead,itadvocatedaslightlylongerroutetothenorthofSkiddawusingtheA595andtheB5305,aroutewhichtheinspectoratthesubsequentsixweekpublicinquiryacknowledgedtobeaviablealternative.TheMinisterapprovedtheDepartment’sproposalinDecember1972.AsubsequentmotionintheHouseofLordscallingattentiontotheMinister’sdecisionandtheurgentneedfortheformulationofaroadpolicyfortheParkwasagreedtoaftermuchcriticismofthedecision.Onalighternote,cross-examinationoftheDepartment’strafficevidenceatthepublicinquiryrevealedthatmorebusescameintotheNationalParkeverydaythanleftit!

FollowingtheA66decision,fearswereexpressedabouttheimplicationsfortheA591.AmeetingwasheldwithofficersofCumberlandandWestmorlandCountyCouncilsandwiththeRegionalControllerforRoadstodiscussthescaleoffutureimprovementsandbroadagreementwasreachedwhich,inviewoftheimprovementstotheA66,amongstotherthingsinvolvedabanonheavygoodsvehiclesoverDunmailRaise.Subsequently,theBoardsupportedaproposalforareliefroadforAmblesidetothewestofthetownfollowingarouteunderLoughrigg.ItwassubsequentlyrejectedbytheMinisterfollowingapublicinquiry.Italsosupportedthelineforaby-passroundStaveleybutobjectedtotheproposeddualcarriageway.Theobjectionwasvindicatedfollowingapublicinquiry.

Elsewhere,theBoardsupportedaproposalbyLancashireCountyCouncilforareliefroadtothewestofHawksheadandreliefroadsatLindaleandBackbarrow.

The closure of railways

AtthesametimeastheBoardwasdealingwithproposalstoupgradetheroadnetworkintheNationalPark,itwasalsohavingtodealwithproposalstodowngradetherailnetwork.In1957theBoardappearedatthepublicinquiryintotheproposedclosureoftheConistontoFoxfieldrailwayline,arguingthatthelinewasimportantforbothlocalpeopleandtourists.Intheevent,thelinewasclosedtopassengertrafficbutontheunderstandingthatabusservicewouldbeavailable.Followingtheclosureoftheline,theBoardwasgiventheopportunitytobuytheConistontoFoxfieldtrackforconversiontoapath.However,theBoarddidnotwantresponsibilityformaintainingtheline-sidefencinganddecidednottogoahead,adecisionwhichitssuccessorcametoregretwhennegotiationsoverthecreationofacycletrackalongtheroutefellthroughmanyyearslaterinthefaceofoppositionfromlandownersalongtheway.

In1963similarobjectionwasmadebytheBoardtotheclosureofthePenrithtoKeswicksectionofthePenrithtoCockermouthrailwayline.ThistimetheobjectionwasupheldandthelineremainedopenforthetimebeingasfarasKeswick,althoughitwaseventuallyclosedin1972.In1964,objectionwaslodgedunsuccessfullytotheproposedclosureoftheUlverstontoLakesideline.

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ThecloudcausedbytheeventualclosureofthePenrithtoKeswickrailwaylinein1972hadasilverlining.In1983theBoardacquiredafourmilestretchofthelinefromKeswicktoThrelkeldwithaviewtoopeningitasafootpathandcycleway.Amanagementplanwaspreparedandextensiveworkwasundertakenbythewardenswithsupportfromthevoluntarywardensandothersinengineeringasafepath.The1999-2000AnnualReportrecordeduseofthepathbymorethan11,000cyclistsduringtheyear,mostofthemfamilygroups.ThepathisalsofitforusebythosewithlimitedmobilitytherebymakingthesuperbviewsintheGretaGorgeaccessibletowheelchairusers.

In1999theAuthorityacquired36hectaresofwoodland,meadowandriverfromtheStormsEstate,fundedbycentralgovernmentgrantandgenerousfinancialsupportfromfourofthevoluntarywardens.MostofthelandadjoinstheKeswicktoThrelkeldpathandprovidesbetteraccessforeducationalgroupsandtheopportunityforcircularrailandriversidewalks.ItalsoallowedtheAuthoritytorestorehabitats,enhancetheherbrichmeadowsandregeneratethewoodland.

The wardens’ service

Sofarinthisrecord,thefocushasbeenmainlyonsituationsinwhichtheBoardfeltconstrainedtorespondintheinterestsoftheNationalParktoaproposedcourseofactionbeingtakenbyanotherpublicbody.However,theBoardwasalsoabletotakeaproactiveapproachtothedischargeofnationalparkpurposesandintheyearsfrom1951to1974anumberofimportantstepsweretakeninthisregard.

Atanearlystageinitsexistence,theBoardaddressedthequestionoftheneedforawardens’service(laterrenamedtherangers’service).However,thelegislationatthetimeonlyallowedtheappointmentofawardenforlandeitherownedbytheNationalParkorcoveredbyanaccessagreementororder.ThePeakDistrict,withlargeareasoftheNationalParkcoveredbyaccessagreements,employedafulltimewarden.IntheLakeDistrict,theBoardheldlittlelandofitsown,andbecauseofthetraditionalfreedomofaccesstothefellsbycourtesyofownersandoccupiersveryfewaccessagreementswerenecessary.Thatbeingso,theBoardfounditselfunabletoappointafulltimewarden.Instead,asSheilaRichardsonrecordsinPutting Something Back,in1954LeslieHewkin,aBoardmember,proposedthattheBoardrecruitagroupofvoluntarywardenstodealprimarilywithlitter,aparticularproblematthetime.TheBoardsupportedtheideaandLesliefoundhimselfhavingtoputhisownideaintopractice.OnAugustBankHoliday,thegroupmetatWhiteMossCommonto‘scavenge’forlitter.Itwastobethefirstofmanysuch‘scavenges’;theproblemoflitterhaspersistedthroughoutthe60yearsoftheNationalParkAuthority’sexistenceandthereisnoevidencethatitisabating.

In1984,forexample,alittersweepproducedovera1,000sacksofrubbish.Andtheproblemhasnotbeenconfinedtothevalleysbuthasextendedalsotothefelltops.AsanexperimenttheBoardin1955askedthevoluntarywardenstoplacenoticesonthesummitsofScafellPike,GreatGableandHelvellynsaying“Wearesorrytoputthisnoticeherebutin1955thetopwasdisfiguredbylitter.Volunteershavecleaneditup.Pleasekeepitcleanin1956andthisnoticewillgo”.Itisunclearwhetherthenoticeswereremovedin1956.

The Keswick to Threlkeld footpath and cycleway.

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TheAnnualReportfor1955wasabletorefertothebuildingupofanefficientandflourishingwardens’service,32strong,onavoluntarybasis.Inadditiontolittercollection,thewardensweresoonprovidinghelpandadviceonarangeoftopicstovisitors,promotingtheCountryCodeandkeepingawatchonindiscriminatecamping,whichwasanotherparticularproblematthattime.

JohnWyatt,inhisbookletcelebrating50yearsoftheVoluntaryWardenService,recordshow,atEaster1960,hewasconfrontedbycrowdsofpeopleillegallycampingonElterwaterCommon.“Therewashardlyroombetweentents,mostofthemfamilysize–andwhenIthoughttherewasnomoreroom–alongcamethearmy!”Fromtherethevoluntarywardensbranchedoutintoleadingguidedwalksanda‘heavygang’,undertheleadershipofavolunteerwhohadbeeninvolvedintankremovalduringthewar,wassetuptoremoveabandonedvehicles.

Somethinglike250vehicleswereeventuallyremoved.AsRichardsoncomments:“thiswaslitterpickingofmegaproportions”.

Fromthereitwasashortsteptorepairingpathsandpathfurniture.OneofthebiggestworkpartytasksatthetimewasthedemolitionandrebuildingoftheruinedshelteronHelvellynwhichhadbecomealitterdumpandaneyesore.JohnWyatt,theBoard’sHeadWarden,recollectshow56voluntarywardens,assistedbyagroupofarmycadetsandsomeponies,tackledthetaskoverseveralweekends.

Itinvolved,amongstotherthings,carrying20tonsofsandandcement,madeupinto30poundbags,uptothesummit.

Thevoluntarywardens’servicegrewrapidlyandbytheendof1956wardenshadbeendividedintoeightareas,awardens’committeehadbeensetup,anannualwardens’conferencewasheld,twoofthevoluntarywardenswereco-optedontotheBoard’sAccessandAccommodationCommitteeandconsiderationwasbeinggiventoenrollingjuniorwardens.By1966,thenumberofvoluntarywardensexceeded400.LeslieHewkinchairedthevoluntarywardens’committeefor24yearsandcontinuedasanactivevolunteeruntilheretiredin1983.

In1960theBoard,attherequestofthevoluntarywardens’committee,revivedthequestionofappointingafulltimewarden.Bythistime,theBoard’slandholdingshadincreasedanditwasthoughtthatanimaginativeinterpretationofthelegislationwouldallowawardentoundertakeotherdutiesrelatingtotheprovisionofinformation,educationandpublicitytopreventdamageandtopromoteappropriatebehaviour.Thefirstpostwas

Removing an abandoned vehicle.

Rebuilding the Helvellyn shelter.

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advertisedinthespringof1966andmorethan400applicationswerereceived.JohnWyatttookuphisdutiesastheBoard’sfirstfull-timewardeninSeptemberofthatyear.

Hisreportfortheyearending31March1961showedabusyperiodinvolvinglitterclearances,themanagementofboardproperties,thepromotionofmountainsafety,assistanceintheorganisationofexhibitions,theprovisionofinformationand,generally,thegivingofhelpandadvice.Thevalueofafulltimewardens’servicewasquicklyrecognisedandin1962thedecisionwastakentoappointasecond.By1974thenumberhadrisentonine.

Car parks and information centres

“Carparks”,saidtheAnnualReportfor1963-64,“arenotanexcitingsubjectbuttheyareaverynecessaryservice”.TheeverincreasingvolumeoftrafficcomingintotheLakeDistrictimposedconsiderablestrainonlimitedparkingfacilitiesandtheBoard,ofteninassociationwithothers,devotedconsiderableefforttoprovidingrelief,inonecaseresortingtocompulsorypurchasepowers.

Between1953and1974carparksandviewinglay-byswereconstructedinmorethan35locations.Followingrepresentationsabouttheneedforpublicconveniences,theBoardalsoembarkedonaprogrammeofprovisioninassociationwiththecarparks.‘Wannop’sweehouses’,namedafterJimWannop,theBoard’ssurveyorresponsiblefortheproject,weresoonafeatureofsomeofthebusiestcarparks.AdisputewiththeDistrictCounciloverthelocationofatoiletinBorrowdaleattractedsomepublicityundertheheadline

John Wyatt, the National Park’s first full-time warden.

Traffic on the Blea Tarn road,

Langdale.

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“Clochemerle-in-Borrowdale”(‘Clochemerle’beingthetitleofaTVseriesatthetimeinvolvingaFrenchvillagerivenbydisagreementoverthesitingofaproposedpublicconvenience).Afterapublicinquiry,theinspectorsaidhethoughttheBoard’ssiteinBorrowdalewasbetterthantheDistrictCouncil’sbutthatathirdsitealtogetherprovidedthebestoption.

In1969carparkingchargeswereintroducedforthefirsttimeattheBoard’scarparkatWaterhead.By1974charginghadalsobeenintroducedatHawkshead,Coniston,Grasmere,GlenriddingandButtermere.

TheBoard’sfirstinformationcentrewasestablishedonan‘experimental’basisintheWindermereUrbanDistrictCouncilofficesinWindermerein1956.Itwasunmanned.Theexperimentwasasuccessandothercentres,soonfollowed,initiallyonasomewhatadhocbasisandmannedbyvoluntarywardens.In1964,forexample,over20,000visitorsattendedamobileinformationcentrestaffedbyvoluntarywardens.

By1974theBoardhadsixmannedinformationcentresoperatingattheBankHouse,Windermere,theMootHall,Keswick,theOldCourtHouse,AmblesideandmobileunitsatTheGlebeinBowness,atHawksheadandathirdatWaterheadcarpark,Ambleside.ApurposebuiltinformationcentreattheGlebe,Bowness,wasnearingcompletion,includinga56seattheatre;andabarnatSeatollerhadalsobeenacquiredbuthadyettobefittedout.In1965BarryTulletwasappointedastheBoard’sfirstfulltimeInformationOfficer.

Hassness

MentionwasmadeearlierofthestepstakenbytheBoardtoenhancetheprovisionofaccommodationthroughcaravanandcampingsitesintheNationalPark.In1964itacquiredtheHassnessEstateinButtermerewithaviewtoprovidingguesthouseaccommodationatamodestchargeinavalleywhichdeservedtobebetterknownandwhereaccommodationofthisnaturewaslacking.ThemainhousewasleasedtotheRamblers’Associationtorunasaguesthouseandthisarrangementstillexiststoday.Theannex,knownasDalegarth,wasletprivatelyasaguesthouse.

National Park Centre

In1966theBoardacquiredthehouseandgroundsknownasBrockholeontheeasternshoreofWindermere.TheintentionwastoestablishaNationalParkCentre,thefirstinBritain,onthelinesrecommendedbytheHobhouseCommittee.EarlierattemptstoacquireapropertybyUllswaterforthispurposehadfailed.TheHobhouseCommitteehadenvisagedacentreasproviding:

“books,maps,modelsandmuseumexhibitsforinquirybyvisitingpublicintothetopography,history,naturalhistory,ruraleconomyandgeneralcultureoftheParkanditsneighbourhood,togetherwithfacilitiesforreading,fieldstudyandsimilarpursuits,forperiodicaltalksandexhibitionsandcinemafilmsandforthesaleordistributionofNationalParkliteratureandmaps.”

One of the Board’s mobile information centres.

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JohnNettletonwasappointedDirectorofthecentreanditopenedtothepublicinJune1969.Ithousedamodernexhibitionoflakelandlifeandhistoryandprovidedaseriesoflecturesandfilmsontopicssuchasleisureinthecountryside,naturalhistoryandlocalhistoryandgeography.Over60,000peoplevisitedthecentrebetweenJuneandtheendofNovemberwhenitclosedfortheseason.Atpeaktimes,over1,000peopleperweekattendedthelectures.By1974anewcafeteriaandinformationareahadbeenaddedandthenewpostofYouthandSchoolsLiaisonOfficerhadbeenfilled.Thepost,whichwasbasedatBrockhole,developednaturallyfromtheeducationalactivitiesofthecentre.

Royal visit

On22July1966,HRHtheDukeofEdinburghpaidavisittotheNationalPark,thefirstformalvisitbyamemberoftheRoyalFamilytoanationalpark.TheBoardarrangedmatterssothatHisRoyalHighnesscouldseeasmuchaspossibleofthevariedactivitiesofanationalparkinasingleday.Indeed,somanyactivitieswereontheitinerarythatitmustbedoubtfulwhethertheRoyalwelliestouchedthegroundallday!

Foot and mouth

InOctober1967footandmouthdiseasedevastatedfarmsinLancashire,CheshireandtheMidlands.TheBoardliaisedwiththeNationalFarmers’Union(NFU)onwaysofkeepingthediseaseoutoftheNationalPark.

Publicitywasmountedaskingwalkersandclimberstokeepaway,andforweekendafterweekendvoluntarywardensmannedthenormalaccessestofieldsandfellstopersuadepeopletocooperate.Theprecautionspaidoff.TheNationalParkremainedfreeoffootandmouth.Itwas,saidJohnWyatt,thewardens’finestefforttothattime.

Regulating motor boats

In1968theCountrysideActforthefirsttimeconferredpoweronnationalparkauthoritiestomakebyelawsforthepurposeofrestrictingorregulatingtheuseofboatsonlakes.TheBoardhadforsometimebeenconcernedoverproblemsarisingfromtherapidlyincreasingnumberofboatsofalltypesonsomeofthelakes.Itfeltthatrecreationalboatingshouldbeencouragedonasubstantialscaleonlyonthelargerandmoreaccessiblelakesandthatfastmotorboatingandwater-skiingshouldbepermittedonlyononeormoreofsuchlakesasmightbeespeciallysuitedtothatpurpose.Withtheseobjectivesinmind,theBoardwentouttoconsultationonaproposaltobanmotorisedcraftfromthesmallerlakesandtarnsanddiscussioncommencedoveraproposaltoimposeaspeedlimitonDerwentwater,UllswaterandConistonandtointroducearegistrationschemeformotorisedboatsonWindermere.ThesediscussionshadnotbeencompletedbythetimetheJointPlanningBoardcametoanendin1974.However,byelawsbanningmotorisedcraftfrom20ofthesmalllakesandtarnswereauthorisedin1970andweresubsequentlyconfirmedbytheSecretaryofStatein1974.JohnWyattinhisbookThe Lake District National Park(1987)recallsanincidentsometimeaftertheconfirmationofthebyelawsinwhichtheownerofafastpowerboatwas

Keeping foot and mouth out of the National Park.

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askedtoleaveEsthwaiteWater.Hereplied:“Whatapity.Iwasenjoyingmyselfhere.It’ssuchaquietlake”.

Upland management

In1969theLakeDistrictNationalParkwasselectedbytheCountrysideCommissionasoneoftwouplandareastopioneertheUplandManagementExperiment.Theobjectivewastofindabettermethodofuplandrecreationmanagementandameansofreconcilingtheinterestsoffarmersandvisitors.Itenvisagedpayingfarmersfortaskssuchastheerectionofpublicfootpathsignstodiscouragetrespass,theconstructionofsmallsheltersforuseinbadweather,theprovisionofpicnicseatsandcarparks,thecuttingofundergrowthortheplantingoftreesatsitesvisitedbythepublic,theclearanceofrubbishandtherepairofstonewalls.TheMartindaleand

Patterdaleareaswereselectedforatrialperiodofthreeyearsandaprojectofficer,JohnBailey,wasappointed.

Theexperimentwasregardedassuchasuccessthatitwasextendedin1973forafurtherthreeyearsandMatterdale,BorrowdaleandLangdalewereaddedtotheschemealongwiththevalesofGrasmereandAmblesideandasecondprojectofficer,JohnBulman,wasappointed.

21st birthday

On13August1972theBoardcelebratedits21stbirthdaywithaneveningreceptionattheNationalParkCentreatBrockhole.TheChairmanandDirectoroftheCountrysideCommissionattendedalongwithrepresentativesofcountyandlocalcouncilsandlocalsocietiesinadditiontoBoardmembersandstaff.TheChairmanoftheCommissioncongratulatedtheBoardonitsachievementsoverthe21yearsandlookedaheadtotheestablishmentofthenewBoardfollowinglocalgovernmentreorganisationin1974.

Path repair at Rossett Ghyll.

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The first year

Asaresultofthereorganisationoflocalgovernment,theLakeDistrictPlanningBoardwasreconstitutedastheLakeDistrictSpecialPlanningBoardwitheffectfrom1April1974.Theterm‘Special’denotedthattheNationalParkwasnolongermanagedbyajointboardbutbyaboardcontainedwhollywithintheareaofthenewlycreatedCumbriaCountyCouncil.Perhapsnotsurprisingly,therehadbeenconsiderableandattimesheateddebateoverwhether,inthecircumstances,theParkshouldbemanagedbyanindependentboardor,aswithmostothernationalparks,byacountycouncilcommittee.

1974wastheyearRichardNixonresignedasPresidentoftheUnitedStatesovertheWatergatescandal.WestGermanybeattheNetherlandstowintheWorldCupandMohammedAliknockedoutGeorgeForemanatthe‘RumbleintheJungle’toregaintheWorldHeavyweighttitle.EdwardHeathputBritainontoathreedayweektoconserveelectricityduringtheminers’strike.HaroldWilsonbecamePrimeMinisterfollowingtheGeneralElectioninFebruarybutwithahungParliament;hegainedanarrowoverallmajorityatthesecondGeneralElectioninOctober.Inflationsoaredto17.2percent.ManchesterUnitedwasrelegatedfromwhatwasthentheFirstDivision.Asagestureofgoodwill,ChinagavetheUKtwogiantpandas.AndinGreatLangdale,anRAFhelicopterwasinvolvedforthefirsttimeinmountainrescueintheLakeDistrict.ThehelicopterhadlandedatAmblesidetodiscussthepossibilityofassistingtheLangdale-AmblesideMountainRescueTeamonrescuesandwaspromptlycalledoutfor‘on-the-jobtraining’withtheteamtorescueaclimberwhohadfallen80feetonGimmerCrag.

TheLakeDistrictSpecialPlanningBoardOrder1973providedforaboardof27members,anincreaseofnineoveritspredecessor.Ofthese,18wereappointedbyCumbriaCountyCouncil,includingfouronthenominationoftheconstituentDistrictCouncils.NinememberswereappointedbytheMinister.TheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981subsequentlyprovidedthatdistrictcouncilsshouldbeabletoappointmembersasofrightandthesizeoftheBoardwasincreasedin1982to30with16appointedbytheCountyCouncilandfourbytheDistrictCouncils.ThenumberofSecretaryofStateappointeeswasincreasedto10,therebypreservingtheironethirdrepresentation.

ThenewBoardin1974immediatelyturneditsattentiontorecruitment.StaffappointeddirectlybytheformerBoard:thewardens,informationcentre,caravansiteandBrockholestaff,werecarriedforwardtothenewBoard;however,theformerBoardemployednoadministrativeorplanningstaff,relyingentirelyontheservicesoftheformercountycouncils.KennethHimsworth,asolicitorandtheClerktotheformerWestmorlandCountyCouncilandtotheformerPlanningBoard,wasappointedthefirstNationalParkOfficer.RexBaynes,theseniorCumberlandCountyCouncil

The Lake District Special Planning Board 1974

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plannerhandlingnationalparkwork,wasappointedChiefPlanningOfficer.Administrative,secretarialandplanningstafffollowed.TheCountyCouncil’sDirectorofFinancetookonthejobofTreasurertotheBoardanditwasdecidedthattheCountyCouncilshouldprovidelegal,architecturalandpersonnelservices.Subsequently,in1978,becauseoftheincreasingworkload,theBoarddecidedtoestablishitsownsmalllegalsection.

Withlocalgovernmentreorganisationin1974cameareorganisationofthefinancialarrangementsfornationalparkrevenueexpenditure.Underthenewarrangements,theBoardwasrequired,inJulyeachyear,tosubmitestimatesofexpendituretotheDepartmentoftheEnvironmentforthethreeyearsahead.InDecembertheDepartmentoftheEnvironmentwoulddecideontheamountoftheNationalParkSupplementaryGranttobemadeavailableoverthatperiod.Thisgrantwasintendedtorepresent75percentoftheBoard’snetexpenditure(otherthanthecontributionbytheCountrysideCommissiontowardsinformationandinterpretativeservices)andtheBoardwouldpreceptontheCountyCouncilfortheremaining25percent.Infactitdidn’tquiteworkoutthatwayin1974-75becauseofdifficultiesarisingfromreorganisation.TheDepartmentoftheEnvironmentgrantamountedto£230,000andtheBoardpreceptontheCountyCouncilwasforafurther£118,000.TheCountrysideCommissiongrantaidamountedto£93,000.Inaddition,theBoardhadbudgetedfor£109,742fromitsownsourcesofincomesuchascaravanandcampsites,carparks,holidayaccommodation,Brockholeandinformationcentres.The75-25percentspiltwasobservedinsubsequentyears.

Accommodationwasaproblemonreorganisation.Forawhile,theBoardhadtorelyonthegenerosityoftheCountyCouncilwhomadespaceavailableatdifferentpremisesinKendal.However,astheBoard’sestablishmentgrew,sotheproblembecamemoreacuteandstaffhadtobeout-postedtoBrockholeandtheinformationcentreatWindermere.Forthelongerterm,thenewBoarddecidedthatitwastimethattheofficeswerelocatedinsidetheareaforwhichitwasplanningauthorityandofficerswereinstructedtoreportonpossiblesites,preferablyinWindermereorAmbleside.Nothingcameofthesearchand,thefollowingyear,theCountyCouncilwasabletooffertheBoardtherentalofawholebuildinginBusherWalk,Kendal.Thisenabledallplanningandadministrativestafftobebroughttogetherinoneplace.Inthemeantime,becauseoffinancialconstraints,theprospectsforanearlymoveto

apropertywithintheNationalParkhadrecededand,intheend,thepremisesatBusherWalkremainedtheBoard’sprincipalofficeuntilin1989theCountyCouncilindicatedthatitwishedtotakepossessionofthepremisestohouseitsownstaff.

AnumberofoptionswereconsideredandschemesweredrawnupforasiteinKendalontheBurtonRoadandforBrockhole.MembersfavouredBrockholeonthegroundthatitofferedacentralisedheadquartersforstaffwithintheNationalPark.PlanswereputinhandforanextensiontoBrockholetohouseanadditional62staffanda

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The greenfield site at Murley Moss.

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planningapplicationwassubmitted.TheBoardrecommendedapprovalofitsownapplicationbuttheproposalwascalled-inforadecisionbytheMinisterandeventuallyrefusedfollowingafourdaypublicinquiryonthegroundthatitwouldhavebeencontrarytotheBoard’sownpolicyondevelopmentbetweentheroadandthelakeshore.Followingthatsetback,attentionfocusedonagreenfieldsiteatthenewbusinessparkbeingestablishedatMurleyMossonthesouthsideofKendal.

WiththeassistanceofagenerousgrantfromtheGovernment,newofficeswereconstructedandstaffeventuallymovedintotheofficesinMarch1994.

Inallthechangesresultingfromlocalgovernmentreorganisation,GeraldGrice,theChairmanfrom1964to1977,wasatowerofstrength.HewasacalminginfluenceduringthesometimesfraughtdebatesandthehighregardinwhichhewasheldbothbycountycouncillorsontheBoardandbytheSecretaryofStateappointedmembersenabledhimtomediateconflictingandstronglyheldviews.HiscontributiontotheLakeDistrictNationalParkwasimmense.

Plan preparation

Oneofthefirsttasksofthenewlyappointedplanningteamwasthepreparation,jointlywiththeCountyCouncil,ofthefirststructureplanforCumbria,includingtheNationalPark.Thestructureplanwasakeycomponentofthe‘newstyle’developmentplan,provisionforwhichwasmadein1968.Becauseoftheextensivesurveyrequirementsandtheonerousconsultationproceduresinvolvedinthisnewstyledevelopmentplan,thedraftplanwasnotpublishedforcommentuntilMarch1978.Followingreceiptofsomefairlyrobustcomments,furtherworkwasundertakenreassessingandrevisingtheplan.ItwaseventuallysubmittedtotheSecretaryofStateforapprovalandanexaminationinpublicwasheldinSeptember1980.TheMinisterpublishedhisproposedmodificationstothePlaninmid1981.AmongstthesewasaproposaltodeletetheBoard’slocalhousingpolicy(below)andtheBoardaskedforthismodificationtobereconsidered.ThePlanwaseventuallyapprovedwithmodificationsinDecember1983.Bythattime,ithadalltakensolongthatthefirstreviewoftheplanwasdueandworkonthatstartedimmediately.Itwastobeafurther15yearsbeforethesecondpartofthenewstyledevelopmentplan,acomprehensivelocalplanfortheNationalPark,wasadopted.

AtthesametimeastheStructurePlanwasbeingprepared,theplanningteamwasalsoworkingonthefirstNationalParkPlan.TherequirementtopreparesuchaplanhadbeenintroducedbytheLocalGovernmentAct1972andreflectedconcernthatmoreemphasisneededtobeplacedonthefunctionof‘management’innationalparks,atermwhichreferredtotheorganisationandprovisionoffacilitiesandtheuseoflandforthepurposesofconservingthelandscapeandprovidingforrecreation.Giventhatthedeliveryofmuchofthisdependedonotherbodies,thePlanneededtoprovideguidanceto,andcoordinatetheeffortsof,suchotherbodies.TheStructurePlanandtheManagementPlancomplementedeachotherbut,whiletheformerwasconcernedwithstrategic,socialandeconomicissues,thelatterwasmoreconcernedwithpoliciesforthemanagementoftheNationalPark,thepromotionofrecreationaluseanddetailedlocalissues.Afterextensiveconsultation,thePlanwasapprovedbytheBoardinApril1978.ItwassubsequentlysingledoutbytheCountrysideCommissionasawell-balancedandimaginativedocument.

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AfeatureoftheNationalParkPlanwasthestrongfocusofattentionontheneedsoflocalpeople,includingtheneedforlocalaffordablehousing(seebelow).ThePlanalsomarkedthereversaloftheformerBoard’spolicyofthedispersalofrecreationalactivity.Insteadoftryingtospreadtheloadequally,thePlanidentifiedanumberof‘quietareas’whichshouldremainasreservoirsofcalmwithinthewiderNationalPark.Andtherewasachangeofpolicytowardsconservationareas.TheformerBoardhadconsideredit“invidiousandunwisetosingleoutsmallpartsoftheNationalParkforspecialtreatment”andhadrefusedtoexercisethepowertodesignatesuchareas.However,afterfurtherdiscussionofthematter,thenewBoardwasconvincedoftheadvantagesofincreasedprotectionofvillagecharacterand,withconsiderablesupportfromlocalcommunities,aprogrammeofdesignationfollowedoverthenextfewyears.

ThenotableexceptionwasHartsopwhereapublicmeetingin1981wasvociferouslyopposedtodesignation:“LakeshamletdeclaresUDIfromplanners”wastheDailyTelegraphheadline.Thelocalviewwasthatifthevillagewasworthyofdesignation,itwasthelocalpeoplewhohadmadeitso,thereforedesignationwassuperfluous.Itwasnotuntil1985thattheideawaseventuallygivenawarmerwelcomebythevillage.

TwoissueswhichattractedahighprofileandoccupiedtheattentionofthenewBoardforthewholeofitsexistencewerehowbesttosecurehousingforlocalpeopleandhowtodealwiththeproblemscreatedbyfastmotor-boatingonthelargerlakes.Theseareconsideredinturn.

Housing for locals

HousingforlocalswasaproblemaboutwhichtheformerBoardhadexpressedconcern.AnincreasingnumberofhousesintheNationalParkwerechangingovertosecondandholidayhomesandretirementhomes.Thestrongdemandforsuchhomeswasinflatinghousepricestothepointwherelocalpeople,manyofwhomwereonlowincomes,werehavingdifficultycompetinginthemarket.Thegrowthinthenumberofsecondandholidayhomesmeantthatthesociallifeofvillagesdeclinedbecausethehouseswereemptyformuchofthetime,servicesreducedbecauseofthediminisheddemandforshops,busservices,schoolsandsoon.Alsotherewasanexodusofyoungpeoplefromthevillageswhichwashavingconsequencesforthelocaleconomy.Between1952and1976,forexample,25schoolshadclosedinthenationalpark,whilethelossoffoodshopsandtheirreplacementwithcafesandgiftshopshadbeenacauseofwidespreadconcern.Thiswasnotaproblemwhichcouldbeaddressedsimplybyincreasingthelandsupplyforhousingbecausethatwoulddamagethespectacularlandscapeforwhichthenationalparkwasdesignated;norcouldthechangefrommainresidencetosecondhomebecontrolledthroughtheplanningsystem.Localcouncilsweretryingtotackletheissueuptoapointthroughthesupplyofrentedaccommodation(untiltheadventofgovernmentpolicyonthesaleofcouncilhouses)buttheunitcostsofsmallhousingschemeswashighandsupplywaslimited.

In1970theformerBoardhadmadeastartintacklingtheproblem.ItgrantedplanningpermissionforfourterracesofhousesintheformerquarryworkingsatChapelStile.Therewasnorestrictiononoccupancybutcheapmaterialswerepermittedinordertokeepdownthepriceandbringthemwithintherangeoflocalpeople.Theintentionwasthatthehousesshouldresembletheterracesofquarryworkerscottagesprevalentinthearea.Thehouseswerebuiltbuttheexperimentwasnotasuccess.

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Fifteenyearslateronlythreeofthe28houseswerepermanentlyoccupied,theremainderhadgoneforsecondorholidayhomes;andtheterracessomehowlookedsuburban.

ThenewBoardwasnotahousingauthoritybutofficerswereinstructedtoconsiderwhatcouldbedoneunderplanningpowerstoalleviatethesituation.InthelightoftheoutcomeoftheChapelStileexperiment,memberswereawarethatsimplyproviding(relatively)cheaphousingwasunlikelytobringitwithintherangeoflocalpeople.Itwasthereforesuggestedthatimposingarestrictionontheoccupancyofnewhouses

toalocallyemployedpersonmighthelp.However,discussionsaboutsuchastrategywiththeDepartmentoftheEnvironmentwerenotencouraging.TheBoardsoughtcounsel’sopinionwhichwasmoreoptimistic.Meantime,aresearchreportpreparedbyLancasterUniversityin1976showedthatitwascommonplacefor20to30percentofhousesinvillagesintheNationalParktobeinsecondhomeownershipandthat,insomeofthecentralvillages,thefigureexceeded30percent.ThisreinforcedtheBoard’sviewoftheseriousnessofthesituationandapolicyontheuseofoccupancyrestrictions,securedbymeansofaplanningagreementratherthanaplanningcondition,wasinsertedintoboththedraftstructureplanandthedraftnationalparkplan.Paragraph10.24ofthedraftNationalParkPlan,forexample,stated:

“ItwillbetheBoard’spolicytopursueeverypossibilitytoensurethatinthefutureanynewhousesanywhereintheNationalParkwillbeforlocaluse”.

Inthemeantime,theBoard’sDevelopmentControlCommitteein1977beganactingonthepolicybytyingallnewhousingtopeopleemployed,ortobeemployed,locallyorretiredfromlocalemployment.

Thepolicyexcitedagreatdealofinterestnationallyaswellaslocally,notallofitfavourable.TheAnnualReportfor1977-78observedthat:

“itisamootpointastowhichisthelessuncomfortableposition:beingcriticisedfordoingnothing,orbeingcriticisedfordoingsomething,butdoingitwrongly”.

AttheexaminationinpublicofthejointstructureplaninSeptember1980,themainissueraisedwithregardtotheNationalParkwasthelocalhousingpolicy.Thepanel,whichconductedtheexamination,concludedthat“becausetheproblemissoextremeandissointractable”theBoard’spolicyshouldbetried.TheSecretaryofStatedisagreedwiththepanelandproposedtodeletethepolicyonthegroundthat“itwouldbeanunreasonableuseofplanningpowerstoattempttoensurethathousesshouldonlybeoccupiedbypersonswhoarealreadylivinginthelocality”.ThisseemedtomisunderstandthepolicyandtheBoardrequestedtheMinistertoreconsiderhisposition.Inhisfinaldecision,theMinisteramended,ratherthanrejected,thepolicy.Therelevantpartnowreadthathousingwouldonlybepermittedwhere:

“theproposeddevelopmentwillfulfillrequirementsarisingfromlocalreductionsinaveragehouseholdsize,ornaturalgrowthoftheexistingpopulation,orthecreationofnewjobopportunitiesinoradjacenttothe

Housing for locals, Chapel Stile.

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NationalParkforwhichtheprovisionofhousinginthesettlementconcernedisappropriate”.

TheBoardhaddifficultyunderstandingwhatthatmeantandtooktheadviceofcounsel.Inthelightofthatadvice,itmodifieditspolicyin1984sothatitimposedamainresidencyrequirementonallnewhousing.

AttentionthenturnedtotheappealprocessandtheMinisterwasaskedtosubstituteamainresidencyrestrictioninplaceofthelocaloccupancyrestrictioninanumberofoutstandingplanningappeals.Thishedeclinedtodoandalltheappealswereallowedwithoutanyrestriction,leavingtheBoard’spolicyindisarray.

Inthelightofthis,theBoardwascompelledtolookafreshattheproblemoflocalhousing.Itbeganbycommissioningfurtherresearch.ThiswasundertakenbyMargaretCapstick,aformerBoardmemberandResearchFellowatLancasterUniversity,andwaspublishedin1987andconfirmedthatthesituationhadbecomemoreseriousintheinterveningyears.

AfterfurtherconsiderationtheBoardconcludedthatpressureshouldbebroughttobearontheGovernmenttoenableplanningauthoritiestoensurethatsuitablebuildinglandcouldbeusedtofulfillalocalneed.TheBoardremainedconvincedthatalocaloccupancyrestrictionwastheonlyeffectivemeansofsecuringthis.Eventually,in1989,theSecretaryofStateissuedastatementacceptingthatincertaincases,whereitcouldbejustified,planningauthoritiescoulduseplanningagreementstoensurethatbuildinglandwasmadeavailableforlocals.Armedwiththatstatement,theBoardembarkedonthelengthyprocessofpreparingapark-widelocalplan,oneofthekeyobjectivesofwhichwastoprovideaframeworkwhichwouldensurethatlandwasmadeavailableforlowcosthousingforlocalpeople.Inthemeantime,furtherresearchshowedthattheproportionofsecondhomesinsomeofthecentralparisheshadcreptupto40percent.Thedraftlocalplanwasthesubjectofa23daypublicinquiryin1995-96.InMarch1997,justbeforetheSpecialPlanningBoardceasedtoexist,theinspectorissuedhisdecisionupholdingthehousingpolicy.

ThenewpolicyprovidedthatvirtuallyallnewhousingintheNationalParkshouldberestrictedtolocalneeds.Thepolicywouldbedeliveredthroughtheuseofplanningagreementswhichwouldensurethatnewhouseswerebothaffordableandavailableonlytolocalpeople.IthadtakentheBoardthe23yearsofitsexistencetobringtheDepartmentoftheEnvironmentroundtoitswayofthinking.

Regulating the use of the lakes

ThesecondissuewhichoccupiedsomuchoftheBoard’sattentionwasthecontroloftheuseoflakesurfaces.TheformerBoardhadmadebyelawsfortheprohibitionofpowerdrivenvesselsonthesmallerlakesandtarnsandthesehadbeenconfirmedbytheHomeSecretaryinMarch1974.Ithadalsoproposedmakingbyelawsimposinga10mphspeedlimitonConiston,DerwentwaterandUllswater,butwithatransitionalperiodoffiveyearsinvolvingazoningsystemforpartofUllswater.ThisproposalwasadoptedbythenewBoardandtowardstheendof1974,byelawsweresubmittedtotheHomeOfficeforconfirmation.Aprotractedpublicinquiryintotheproposedbyelawswasheldinthesummerof1976.TheAnnualReportforthatyearcommentedthatthelistofthosesubmittingviewsreadratherlike

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Lake District National Park Local Plan, 1997.

anencyclopediaofenvironmentalbodies.TheargumentsfocusedmainlyonUllswaterwherepowerboatingwaswell-established.ItwasnotuntilJanuary1978thattheMinistereventuallyissuedhisdecision.HeconfirmedthebyelawsforConistonandDerwentwaterandtheycameintooperationinthespringofthatyear.Headoptedtheinspector’sconclusionthatazoningsystemforUllswaterwouldbeimpracticalinviewoftheuniversalrighttonavigateonthelakeandrefusedtoconfirmthebyelawsastheystood.Instead,heindicatedthathewouldbepreparedtoconfirmbyelawswhichintroducedaspeedlimitonUllswaterinfiveyearstimebutwithnointerimzoningsystem.TheBoardaccordinglymadebyelawsforUllswaterintherevisedformandthesewereeventuallyconfirmedbytheMinisterandtookeffectin1983.

Windermere

Inthemeantime,theBoardauthorisedconsultationoverthefutureuseofWindermerewhererapidlyincreasingpressureonthelakewascausingconcern.In1975theBoardagreedtopromotebyelawsforthecompulsoryregistrationofpowerdrivenvesselsasausefulfirststep.Itwouldmaketheidentificationofcrafteasierandwouldhelpintheenforcementofthelong-standingCollisionRulesonthelake.ThebyelawswereconfirmedwithoutaninquiryandcameintoeffectinDecember1978.Itwasestimatedthatsome4,500powerdrivenboatsusedthelakeeveryyearandwouldneedtoregister.

Theconsultationprocessculminatedin1980inthepublicationbyaSteeringCommitteerepresentingpublicauthoritieswithacloseinterestinthefutureofthelakeof‘AManagementPlanfortheLake’.Thisidentifiedgreaterinfluenceoveraccesstothewaterasthekeytoreducingmanyoftheconflictsofusewhichwerenowapparent.ItalsorecommendedareviewoftheCollisionRules.ArangeofamendmentstotheRuleswerediscussedoverthenext10yearsbutitproveddifficulttoachieveanyconsensusaboutthewayforwardandprogresswasslow.

Duringthistimethelevelofactivityonthelakecontinuedtoincreasewithaconsequentincreaseinconflictsbetweenthedifferenttypesofuser,aheightenedlevelofnoiseandgrowingconcernabouttheeffectsofwash.Anindicationoftheincreasingpressureonthelakewasreflectedinthenumberofpowercraftregisteringeachyear.By1989thenumberhadrisento16,000,morethanthreetimesthefigurewhentheregistrationschemehadbeenintroduced10yearsearlier.Initially,theBoardconsideredintroducingadditionalregulationthroughthemediumofaPrivateBill.However,inviewofanticipateddifficulties,membersdecidedinJuly1991topromotebyelawsimposinga10mphspeedlimitoverthewholeofthelake.Inreachingthisdecision,theBoardwasmindfuloftherecommendationoftheNationalParkReviewPanel,whichhadbeensetupbytheCountrysideCommissiontoreviewnationalparkpolicies,thatnationalparksshouldbefor‘quietenjoyment’.Italsohadinmindthebeneficialeffectsoftheintroductionofaspeedlimitontheotherlakes.

Strongobjectiontothebyelawswasvoicedbythoserepresentingfastmotor-boatingandwater-skiinginterestswhoadvocatedincreasedmanagementandcompromisesolutionsasthewayforward.A13weekpublicinquirywasheldbetweenSeptember1994andJanuary1995toconsiderthemeritsofthebyelaws.Theinspectorconcludedthattherewasafundamentalproblemofincompatibilitywhenfastpowerboatingtookplaceonthesame,relativelyconfined,stretchofwaterasotherwaterbasedrecreation,anincompatibility

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whichwasreflectedinproblemsofpublicsafetyanddiminishedenjoyment.Inhisviewamanagementplanwouldnotdealsatisfactorilywiththeproblem.Herecommendedthatthebyelawsshouldbeconfirmed.TheMinisterdisagreed.Herefusedtoconfirmthebyelawsandaskedthepartiestoexplorewaysinwhichmanagementarrangementsmightenablethedifferentuserstoco-exist.TheBoardbelievedthat,asmanagementarrangementshadbeenexaminedattheinquiryandrejectedbytheinspector,theMinister’sdecisionwasunlawful.ItwaschallengedsuccessfullybywayofappealtotheHighCourtandthematterwasreferredbacktotheMinisterforre-determination.Heinvitedfurtherrepresentationsfromthepartiesastowhethertherehadbeenanysignificantchangeofcircumstancesincetheinquiry.Eventually,inFebruary2000thespeedlimitonWindermerewasconfirmedbutwithatransitionalperiodoffiveyearstoallowbusinessesandrecreationalintereststoadjust.

Tobringthestoryup-to-date,in2008theAuthorityproposedanumberofamendmentstoboththeregistrationandthenavigationbyelawsonWindermere.Amongstotherthings,theAuthorityproposedstandardisingthespeedlimitsonthelakebyreferencetonauticalmilesperhour.ThesixmphspeedlimitoncrowdedpartsofthelakelikeBownessBayisexpressedinnauticalmilesperhourwhilethe10mphspeedlimitovertheremainderofthelakeisimpliedlyexpressedinstatutemilesperhour.TheamendmentstotheregistrationbyelawswereconfirmedbytheMinisterin2011butstandardisationofthespeedlimitsinthenavigationbyelawswasrejectedonthegroundthat,despiteearlierbyelawsdefiningamileasanauticalmile,the10mphspeedlimithadbeenexpressedinstatutemilesperhourduringtheconsiderationofevidenceatalengthypublicinquiry.AtthetimeofwritingtheAuthorityisconsultingonoptionstoresolvethematter.

Ennerdale and Wastwater

AfurtherhighprofileissuewhichexercisedtheBoardforawhilewastheproposalin1977bytheNorthWestWaterAuthoritytoraisethelevelofEnnerdalebyfourfeettoaugmentwatersuppliestoBritishNuclearFuelsLtdandtodomesticusersinWestCumbria.Tocomplicatematters,BritishNuclearFuelsLtdatthesametimeputforwarditsownschemetoaugmentitssuppliesbyincreasingtherateofabstractionfromWastwaterfromfourmgdto11mgd.WhileacceptingtheneedtomaintaingoodsuppliesforbothBNFLandforconsumersgenerallyinWestCumbria,theBoard,aftertakingexpertadvice,decidedtoopposebothschemesonenvironmentalgroundsandtopromotetheregulationoftheRiverDerwentasthebestlongtermsolution.Apublicinquiryintobothproposalslasting57dayswasheldin1980and,asitunfolded,sofurtheralternativeswereadvancedbyallparties,includingfourdifferentproposalsforEnnerdaleandfiveforWastwater.TheBoard’sownpositionchangedtorecommendthatEnnerdale(unaltered)shouldsupplyBNFLandthattheRiverDerwentshouldmeetdomesticrequirements.InDecember1981theSecretaryofState,inadecisionwhichrestedheavilyonenvironmentalconsiderations,rejectedtheproposalsoftheWaterAuthorityandBFNL.

National Park Officer

KennethHimsworthretiredasNationalParkOfficerin1977.HiscontributiontoNationalParksandtolocalgovernmenthadbeenrecognisedbytheawardofaCBE.TheDirectoroftheCountrysideCommission,inanappreciationintheCommission’snewsletter,said:

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“Onlythosewhohavebeenconcernedwithnationalparksforalongtimecanbegintoappreciatethecontributionhehadmade…butitmustbeasthechampionoftheLakeDistrictNationalPark,whichcommandedhisdevotionandhisloyaltyoversuchalongperiodoftime,thatwecanbegratefultohim”.

HisplacewastakenbyMichaelTaylor,aCharteredSurveyorandtheformerCountyLandAgentforSuffolkCountyCouncil.HisextensiveknowledgeofthecountrysideandofagriculturewastobeastronginfluenceonBoardpolicies.

Property acquisition

MentionhasalreadybeenmadeoftheusebytheformerBoardofitspowerstoacquirelandandbuildingstomeetparticularaccessandaccommodationneeds.Aswillbeseen(below),thesepowerscontinuedtobeusedquitewidelybythenewBoardoverthe23yearsofitsexistencebutunderMichaelTaylor’sguidancetheBoardgreatlyincreaseditsownershipoflandforconservationpurposes.Overthenextdecade,acquisitionsincludedthewoodlandsatHighDam,Finsthwaite,alargetractofwoodlandintheRuslandValley,a17thcenturyfarmatBeckside,Ullswater,sixislandsonWindermere,GlenriddingCommonandunenclosedcommonlandatCaldbeckandUldaleandBassenthwaiteLake.

In1967theformerBoardhadacquiredthedisusedConistonStationwiththeintentionofprovidingself-cateringholidayaccommodation.However,localoppositionandalackoffundingdelayedprogressand,afterdiscussionwiththeParishCouncil,thenewBoarddecidedin1976toconstructfourworkshopstohelpmaintainlocalindustryandsomelocalhousingonthesite.By1980allfourworkshopshadbeencompletedandlet.Becauseofdifficultieswiththesite,theprovisionoflocalhousinghasstillnotbeensecured.

In1976theBoardtooktheopportunitytoacquire2,700acresofGlenriddingCommonontheeastsideofHelvellynforaccesspurposes,includingStridingEdge,SwirralEdgeandRedTarn.IncludedintheacquisitionwastheformerGreensideLeadMinewhichhadceasedoperationsin1959andseveraloftheformerminebuildings.WorkwasputinhandtoreducetheimpactoftheminingoperationsandamanagementplanwaspreparedfortheCommon

andimplementationbeganin1979.TenyearslatertheBoardhadcompletedtherefurbishmentofsomeoftheoldminebuildingsandStridingEdgeHostelatGreenside,capableofaccommodating18people,wasopenedforusebygroups,andSwirralBothy,nextdoor,providedmorebasiccampingbarnfacilities.However,in1999testsrevealedsomeproblemswiththetipsandamajorprogrammeofwork,fundedlargelybytheEnvironmentAgencyandtheNorthWestWaterAuthority,wasundertakenoverthreeyearstosecuretheirstability.

1976wasabusyyearforpropertyacquisitionbytheBoardbecauseinthesameyearitalsopurchasedtheformertuberculosissanatoriumontheslopesofBlencathranearThrelkeldalongwithseveralcottagesonthesitefromtheNorthernRegionalHealthAuthority.Thesitewasinaprominentand

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The Blencathra Centre, then and now.

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sensitivelocationandtheBoardwaskeentomanageitsfuturedevelopment.TheintentionwastoconvertthebuildingstoprovidefiveselfcateringhostelsforschoolsandyouthgroupsvisitingtheLakeDistrict,atypeofaccommodationforwhichtherewasconsiderabledemand.Thecottages,alongwithotherconvertedpropertiesonsite,wouldprovideeightfamilyself-cateringunits.Theformerrecreationalbuildingwasconvertedtoprovideresourceandlecturefacilitiesandofficeaccommodationwasprovidedforayouthandschoolsliaisonofficerandforthenorthernwardenservice.TheversatilityoftheaccommodationandthemagnificentsettingoftheBlencathraCentremadeitverypopular.In1989areviewoftheoperationofthecentreconcludedthatconsiderableexpenditurewasrequiredonthebuildingsandthatachangeofdirectionwasdesirabletoachieveastrongerfocusonenvironmentaleducation.ThedecisionwasmadetoconvertfourofthefivehostelstoastudycentretobeoperatedinpartnershipwiththeFieldStudiesCouncil.Anappealwaslaunchedtohelpfundthenecessaryrefurbishmentconversionworksandbytheearly1990sthestudycentrewasupandrunning,capableofaccommodatingupto48peopleandofferingavarietyofcoursesforjunior,secondaryandtertiaryschoolsandcollegesandin-serviceteachertraining.

TheacquisitionofthefreeholdoftheConistonBoatingCentrein1978,followingprotractednegotiations,providedtheopportunitytoestablishapubliclaunchingsiteandaccessareaincloseproximitytothevillageofConiston.Theacquisitionincludedasmallparkingarea,acafe,boatstorageandanumberofrowingboatsandsmallmotorboatsforhire.Alaunchingrampwasinstalledtofacilitateeasierlaunchingbythosebringingtheirownboattothecentreandthecafewaslet.InanearlyexampleoftheBoard’sgreencredentials,thefleetofoldpetroldrivenmotorboatswasreplacedin1996byelectricallypoweredlaunches.Theseprovedtobelessnoisy,moreenvironmentallyfriendlyandcheapertorun.

In1979theBoardwastherecipientofagiftoflandboughtforthenationfromEgremontEstatethroughtheNationalLandFundinlieuofestateduty,thefirstnationalparktobenefitinthisway.Thelandinquestioncomprised11,256acresofunenclosedcommonatCaldbeckandUldaletothenorthofSkiddaw,220acresonBarftothewestofBassenthwaiteLakeandthelakeitself.ThecommonlandcomprisedbyfarthelargestunitoflandunderthemanagementoftheBoard.TheBoardhadnoplansforradicalchange;mostoftheareawasgrazinglandusedforquietrecreation.ThemanagementofcommonsthroughoutEnglandatthattimewasprovingsomethingofachallengeandduringthe1980stheGovernmentattemptedtosecureamorecoherentapproachthroughthesettingupofaCommonLandForum.Itwasnotasuccess,buttheBoardsoughttoretrievethemostpromisingembersfromtheashesbysettingupcommonsexecutivecommitteesforeachofitslargecommons-notjustCaldbeckandUldalebutalsoBlawithandTorverLowandTorverHighandBack.AyoungBobCartwrightarrivedaroundthistimetofillthepostofHeadofParkManagementServices.Herecalls

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Coniston Boating Centre was acquired by the Board in 1978.

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attendinghisfirstcommonsexecutivecommitteemeeting.Theexchangewaslargelyadversarial,therewasanairofgeneralmistrustandthemeetingwascharacterisedbyan‘us’and‘them’attitude.ThiswasaggravatedbythelayoutofthehallwiththeNationalParkrepresentativesinstalledbehindthe‘toptable’andthedourcommonerssitting,armsfolded,inrowsofseatsfacingthetable.Hesaysheoftenfeelshissinglegreatestachievementwastorearrangetheroomforsubsequentmeetingssothatthepartiessatroundthesametabletosortoutsharedproblems.

WhiletheBoardownedanumberofsmalltarns,BassenthwaiteLakewasthefirstlakeofanysizetobeacquiredbytheBoard.Itisofnationalimportancefornatureconservationandwasalreadysubjecttobyelawsprohibitingusebypowerboats;otherwisefishingandboatingwerepermittedsubjecttoacharge.TheBoardenteredintodiscussionwithinterestedpartiesaboutastrategyforthefutureofthelakewithprioritybeinggiventonatureconservation.TheBassenthwaiteForumwasestablishedtoensureatwo-wayflowofinformationandopinion.Thefishinginterests,inparticular,provedcrucialindevelopingthestrategy,insecuringtheimprovementoftheKeswickSewageWorks,inestablishingadedicatedvolunteerserviceandinmakingthecaseforNationalNatureReservestatus.ThelakewasdeclaredaNationalNatureReservein1993.

Notwithstandingtheimplementationofthemanagementstrategy,theanglerssubsequentlydrewattentiontodeteriorationinthewaterqualityofthelake.Thisappearedtobecausedbyproblemswiththewayinwhichthelandsurroundingthelakewasbeingmanaged.Apartnershipofeightorganisations,eachwitharesponsibilityfor,oraninterestin,thelakeandthesurroundingarea,wasestablishedunderthechairmanshipoftheEnvironmentAgencytotackletheproblem.Agrantof£1.8millionwassecuredfromtheHeritageLotteryFundforathreeyear(2007-10)catchment-wideprogrammeofworkunderthetitle‘BassenthwaiteReflections’.Thisinvolvedsome30separateenvironmentalprojectseachwiththethemeofwater,woodland,culturalheritage,accessoreducation.Suchwasthesuccessoftheprogrammethatasimilarcatchment-wideapproachhasnowbeenadoptedtotackleproblemsofwaterqualityandrelatedissuesinWindermerelakeandfundinghasbeenattractedfromtheHeritageLotteryFund.

In1979theBoardalsoacquiredtheformerKeswickRailwayStation.ItwasthelastdevelopableareaofanysizeinthetownandtheBoardwishedtoensurethatitsdevelopmentwouldbeforthebenefitofthetown.InitialdiscussionwiththeCounty,DistrictandTownCouncilsidentifiedaneedforasitefortheCenturyTheatreandforaswimmingpoolbutfundingprovedproblematic.TomakeprogresstheBoardapproachedtwohousingassociationswithaviewtopromotingpartofthesiteforlocalhousing.

Subsequently,proposalsemergedfortheredevelopmentofthesitetoprovideaswimmingpool,localhousing,andatheatreandconferencefacility,thedevelopmentbeingfundedbyatimeshareschemeonthenearbyArcheryField.Thetheatreandconferencefacilitywassubsequentlydroppedfromtheschemeandreplacedbyshopsandarestaurant.In1986thelandwassoldtoAllerdaleDistrictCounciltotakeforwardthedevelopment.

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Keswick Railway Station

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In1981oneofthemostcomplete18thCenturyironfurnacesinEnglandtuckedawayinwoodlandintheDuddonvalleywasleasedtotheBoard.Overthenext12yearsaprogrammeofworkwasundertakentothisscheduledAncientMonumentwiththehelpofEnglishHeritage.Blastfurnacesrevolutionisedthesmeltingprocessinthe18thCentury.TheDuddonIronFurnacewasestablishedbytheCunseyCompanyin1736andoperateduntil1866.Therestoredremainsareoneofthemostimpressivecharcoal-firedblastfurnacesinBritain.TheconservationworkwasrecognisedinthepresentationofaCivicTrustAwardin1992.

Thisisoneexampleoftheconservationofourarchaeologicalheritage,anareaofgrowinginterestandimportancefortheNationalPark.AnotherwastherestorationbytheBoardinassociationwithothersoftheHowkBobbinMillatCaldbeck.TheMillislocatedintheHowklimestonegorge.Itoperatedfrom1857until1924producingbobbinsforthecottonindustryinLancashire.TheMillusedwoodfromcoppicedwoodlandsinthesurroundingareaandwaspoweredbyahuge42footdiameterwaterwheel,thelargestinthecountry.Attheheightofitsoperationitemployedsome60people.

MentionwasmadeearlieroftheacquisitionoflandbytheformerBoardatSilecroft,NeaumCragandMeathopfortheestablishment,andinthecaseofSilecrofttheupgradingandextensionof,touringcaravansitestohelpmeetdemand.By1980,demandhadeased,additionalsiteswereavailableandthedecisionwasmadetosellMeathopandNeaumCrag.Anticipatedcapitalexpenditurewasanadditionalfactorwiththelatter.Silecroftfollowedin1990.

MichaelTaylorresignedin1985totakeupthepositionofDirectoroftheCountrysideCommissionforScotland.Theadvertisementforhisreplacementattracted250applicants.JohnToothill,alinguistbybackground,aformerproductionmanagerinindustryandmorerecentlytheBoard’sChiefAdministrativeOfficer,wasappointed.

MuchoftheworkcarriedonbytheBoardoverthetwentythreeyearsofitsexistencewaslowprofilebutnonethelessimportant.Whatfollowsisaflavourofthiswork.

Development control

Thedevelopmentcontrolworkloadsteadilyincreasedoverthisperiodwiththenumberofplanningapplicationsdeterminedduringtheyearrisingfromjustovera1,000in1974-75toahighpointfortheBoardin1989-90of1,548ofwhich25percentwererefused.Alldecisionsweremadein-house;delegationtotheDistrictCouncilshadendedwithlocalgovernmentreorganisation.Thenumberofappealsdeterminedduringthatyearwas124.

AnotabledecisioninvolvedtheLimefittCaravanandCampingsiteintheTroutbeckvalley.Thesitehadconsentfor200tentsand55caravansbuttheoperator,bytakingadvantageofthegeneralplanningpermissiontouselandfor28daysayear,augmentedthisinpeakperiodsbyusingotherfieldsunderitsownershipinthevalleyforcamping.Thisboostedthenumberoftentstoaround700,withpotentialforanincreasetoaround1,000.TheBoardwasconcernedabouttheimpactofsuchalargenumberoftentsinaparticularlybeautifulvalleyandmadeadirectionremovingthegeneralplanningpermission.Theoperatorimmediatelyappliedforaformalgrantofplanningpermissionforuseofthefieldsinquestion.Thiswasrefusedandtheoperator

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appealed.Inhisdecision,theMinisterappliedtheSandfordprinciple,whichhadbeenestablishedasgovernmentpolicyin1976andwhichprovidedthatintheeventofirreconcilableconflictbetweenthetwonationalparkpurposes,thefirst,conservationoftheenvironment,shouldprevailoverthepromotionofrecreation.Theoperatorsecuredsomeenlargementoftheapprovedsitebuttheuseofthefieldswasrefused.Therefusalresultedinthepaymentofcompensationtotheoperatorforthelossresultingfromtheremovalofthegeneralplanningpermission.

AnotherproposalwhichoccupiedaconsiderableamountofstafftimewasthatbyUKNirexLtdin1991todrillaseriesofdeepboreholestodeterminethesuitabilityofanareaadjacenttoSellafieldfortheconstructionofadeeprepositoryforlowandintermediatelevelradioactivewaste.WhiletherepositorywouldnotextendundertheNationalPark,fouroftheboreholesweretobedrilledwithinthePark.TheBoardrefusedtheapplicationsbecausethedrillingrigs,illumination,buildings,securityfencingandhardcorecompoundwouldhaveanunacceptableeffectonthelandscape.NirexappealedandtwooftheappealswereupheldbytheMinister;twowererefused.Radioactivewastedisposalremainsacurrentissue.Atthetimeofwriting,discussionsaretakingplacewiththeNationalParkAuthority,amongstothers,aboutthepossibilityofconstructingadeeprepositorynearSellafieldbutoutsidetheNationalParkboundarytohousehighlevelradioactivewaste.TheAuthoritywillhavetodetermineitspositiononthematterlaterintheyear.

Onamorepositivenote,in1982theBoard,afterextensivenegotiation,approvedalargetimeshareschemewithassociatedleisureandrecreationalfacilitiesintheoldgunpowderworksbetweenElterwaterandChapelStileintheLangdalevalley.ItwasthelargestholidaydevelopmentevergrantedpermissionintheNationalParkandrepresentedamajoremploymentboostforthearea.

The wardens’ service

Thecallsonthewardenservicecontinuedtoincreaseandthenumberoffulltimewardensincreasedto10.Theyweresupplementedbypaidweekendwardensforthesummermonths.Tosecureimprovedcoordinationoftheworkprogramme,theNationalParkwasdividedintotwoareas:northandsouth,andtwoofthewardensweregivenresponsibilityforeacharea.Therangeofworkincludedinvolvementinmountainrescue,thepromotionofmountainsafety,encouragingthecontrolofdogsatlambingtime,generalpatrols,workparties,fireprevention,litterclearance,theprotectionofbirdsofprey,monitoringwildcamping,coordinatingvolunteerworkparties,workingwiththeUplandManagementServiceinmaintainingtherightsofwaynetwork,boatpatrolsonUllswater,Coniston,DerwentwaterandsubsequentlyWindermere,runningpathfinderandotherrecreationalcoursesandgivingtalkstothepublic.

Valuablesupportforthewardens’serviceincopingwiththisrangeofworkcontinuedtobeprovidedbyvolunteers;indeed,theAnnualReportfor1988-89observedthat“withoutvolunteersmuchoftheworkachievedbytheNationalParkAuthorityonthegroundwouldnotbepossible”.Inadditiontothenormalrangeofwork,volunteersby1987wereundertakingboatpatrolsonConiston,UllswaterandDerwentwatertoenforcethespeedlimitsandtopromotesafety.Subsequently,theyalsoprovidedassistanceonWindermere.

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Thenumberofvoluntarywardensoverthisperiodcontinuedataroundthe300mark.Toensurestandardsweremaintained,volunteersservedaprobationaryperiodandwererequiredtocompletetwoweekendtrainingcourses.Membershipwasreviewedonanannualbasis.Onetrainingcoursewhichprovedpopularwithvolunteerswasdrystonewalling.Thetrainedvolunteersestablisheda‘holeinthewallgang’whichwasoncalltodealwithurgentrepairs.Inadditiontothevoluntarywardens,theNationalParkwerefortunateovertheyearsinsecuringimportantassistancefromanumberofothervoluntarygroups,foremostamongwhomwastheBritishTrustforConservationVolunteers.

TheHeadWarden’sreportsoverthisperiodaboundwithanecdotes:thefellwalkerwhotookshelterfromastorminthestretcherboxonStyheadPassandwhohadtobereleasedbyapassingwardensometimelaterafterthelatchonthelidclosed;thewalkerwhoboastedtooneofthewardensthathehadjustachievedhislife-longambitionofclimbingScafellPike-thewardendidn’thavethehearttotellhimhewasdescendingGreatGable;thewardenwhoencounteredsixfoxhoundsstrandedbyanicefieldnearthesummitofSkiddawandwhocarriedthemdownonebyonetothewaitinghuntsman;andthewardenwhorescuedacragfastdogwhichexpresseditsappreciationbybitinghim.

In1979,ontheadviceoftheCountrysideCommission,thetitleof‘warden’waschangedto‘ranger’,atitlewhichmoreproperlyreflectedtherangeofworknowundertakenbytheservice.Thenumberoffulltimerangershadrisento13:achiefranger,twoarearangersand10rangers.Thevolunteersoptedtoremainas‘voluntarywardens’untiltheir50thanniversaryin2004whenthetitlewaschangedto‘voluntaryranger’or‘volunteer’dependingonthenatureoftheworkundertakenandthelevelofcommitment.

In1986JohnWyatt,theNationalPark’sfirstfulltimewardenandformanyyearstheBoard’sChiefWardenandthenChiefRanger,retired.JohnwasawardedanMBEinrecognitionofhisservicestotheNationalParkover26years.

The information service

In1974theBownessBayInformationCentrewasopenedbringingthenumberofcentresoperatedbytheBoardtoeight.Aninth,theSeatollerBase,wasopenedin1976.Theaimwastoprovideabasewheregroupsandindividualscouldlearnsomethingoftheareaandofthepeopleamongwhomtheywouldbetakingtheirholiday.AcentreatWaterheadwasopenedin1982andtheoneintheOldCourtHouse,AmblesidewasthentransferredtoSouthLakelandDistrictCouncil(SLDC).NewpermanentcentreswereopenedatGlenriddingandPooleyBridgein1986,acaravanservicewasintroducedatGosforthin1987,althoughtheresultsweredisappointing,andacentrewasestablishedinpartnershipwithSLDCatBroughtoninFurnessin1996.Thenumbersattendingtheelevencentresinanyoneyearrosefromaroundhalfamillionin1974tooveramillionin1988.In1985thefirstinformationpointwasestablishedintheshopatElterwaterandothersfollowedinisolatedshopsinotherpartsoftheNationalPark.Avirtualinformationcentrewasestablishedonthewebin1996andby2010itwasattractingmorethan1.2millionvisitsayear.

Inadditiontoansweringvisitors’queries,thecentresprovidedinformationabouttheNationalPark,theywereretailoutletsformaps,guidesandotherlakelandgoods,mostofthemofferedanaccommodationbookingservice,

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someofferedfishingpermitsand,inafew,itwaspossibletoregisterpowerboatsforuseonWindermere.

In1974theBoard,inconjunctionwithCumbriaTouristBoard,inauguratedarecordedweatherserviceusinginformationfromthemeteorologicalserviceandfromtheBoard’sownfelltopassessorswhoprovidedadailyreportfromthesummitofHelvellyn.TheserviceprovedpopularandbyNovember1982ithadloggedmorethanamillioncalls.Nineyearslater,thenumberhadexceededfivemillion.Duringmuchofitslife,theWeatherlineservicehasbeenfortunateinattractingsponsorship,firstfromCadbury’sChocolateBreakandtheninsubsequentyearsfromBritishAerospaceMilitaryDivision,fromGlaxoHoldingsplc,fromHawkshead,theclothingfirm,andfromBlacks.

In1975aCaravanAdvisoryServicewaslaunched,alsoinconjunctionwithCumbriaTouristBoardandwithassistancefromsiteoperators,toprovidetelephoneinformationaboutvacantpitches.Itwasaresponsetotheovercrowdingofexistingsites,thecreationofunauthorisedsitesandtheuseoflay-bys.

Initsfirstyearofoperation,theservicefieldedsome4,000calls.Overthenextnineyears,thenumberofcallssteadilydeclined,partlyasaresultofanincreaseinthenumberofpitchesandpartlyasaresultofacampaigntopersuadepeopletobookinadvance.Theserviceeventuallyclosedin1984.

Access

Referencehasalreadybeenmadetotheworkundertakenbyrangersandthevolunteersinpatrollingpopularroutesandleadingguidedwalks.In1974theSandfordCommitteehadrecommendedthatnationalparksshouldbeabletoassumeresponsibilityforpublicrightsofwayintheirareas.Inthelightofthat,discussionstookplacewiththenewlycreatedCumbriaCountyCounciloverthedelegationtotheBoardofresponsibilityforsomeoftherightsofwayintheLakeDistrict.In1975agreementwasreachedontransferringresponsibilityforthoserightsofwayinthatpartofEdenDistrictCouncilintheNationalPark.Subsequently,theagreementwasextendedtocovertheentireNationalParkandthatisthepositiontoday.Itwasaconsiderableresponsibilitytotakeon.TheNationalParkhasarichheritageofpublicfootpaths,bridlewaysandbywaysextendingtoanastonishing2,175miles.Someeightmillionwalkersandanincreasingnumberofcyclistsenjoythetrailseveryyear.Thisallgivesrisetoheavywearandtearandmonitoringtheconditionofroutesandcarryingoutrepairsisanimportantpartofthework.LikeWonderland,thestaffandvolunteersinvolvedhavetorunveryfastjusttokeepinthesameplace;nosoonerhaveproblemsbeenresolvedinoneplacethantheyoccurinanother.In2005ageneralrightofresponsibleaccesstoopenaccesslandwasconferredbytheCountrysideandRightsofWayAct2000.Giventhelong-establishedtraditionoftacitagreementbylandowners

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Touring caravans parking overnight in a layby, 1970s.

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topublicaccesstotheopenfellsintheLakeDistrict,thenewrightdidnotmakeanoticeabledifferencetothenumberstakingaccess;butthelegislationconferredadditionalresponsibilitiesontheNationalParkAuthorityforoversightofthenewarrangementsoversome500squaremilesofopenaccessland.ItalsorequiredthepreparationofaPublicRightsofWayImprovementPlantoidentifygapsintheheritageofroutes,ataskthathasbeenundertakeninconjunctionwithCumbriaCountyCouncil.ThePlanisrolledforwardonaregularbasis.

Oneaspectofaccesstothecountrysidewhichhascausedtensionovertheyearsbetweenrecreationandconservationhasbeentheuseof‘greenlanes’(bywaysopentoalltrafficandunmetalledunclassifiedroads)byfourwheeldrivevehiclesandmotorbikes.

Theactivityhasbeengrowinginpopularitybut,unfortunately,itcanbringnoiseintoquietareasandtheusecancauseparticularproblemsofwearandtear.TheseareissueswhichtheBoardhaddiscussedwiththeTrailManagementAdvisoryGroupandamanagementstrategy,theHierarchyofTrailRoutes,wasdevelopedwhichcombinedroutemanagementwithvoluntaryrestraint.Routeswerecolourcodedaccordingtothelevelofuse,conditionandthevolumeofcomplaints.Signsrequesteddriverstocomplywiththevoluntarycodeofbehaviourforthecolourofroute.Trafficregulationorderscouldbemade,withHighwayAuthorityconsent,ifthevoluntarycodeprovedinsufficient.Later,theNaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006conferredpoweronnationalparkauthoritiestomaketheirowntrafficregulationorders.AnexampleisGatescarthPasswhichrunsfromLongsleddaletoMardale.Becauseofdeteriorationintheconditionoftheroute,lockedgateshavebeenplacedatbothendsandapermitsystemnowoperatestoallowacontrolledlevelofuse.

Avoluntarycodeofpracticehasalsobeenintroducedtoaddresstheproblemscreatedbylarge-scalecharitychallengeevents.ThesetypicallyinvolvelargenumbersofwalkersconvergingonWasdaleorBorrowdaleinashortspaceoftime,oftenatnighttime,foranascentofScafellPike,aspartofathreepeakschallengeincludingSnowdonandBenNevis.Thevolumeofpeoplecangiverisetointrusion,litter,trafficcongestionandenvironmentaldamage.Thevoluntarycodeseekstolimitnuisance,restrictstartingtimesandrequiresmarshallingandtheprovisionofwaterandtoilets.

Quiteapartfromchallengeevents,thesheervolumeofbootedfeetonpopularroutesyearafteryearhasgivenrisetoseriouserosionofthe

‘Green lane’ driving

Fixing the fells

32

fellsides.ThiswasseeninitiallyintermsofalandscapeproblemandtheUplandLandscapeRestorationprojectsetabouttacklingsomeoftheworstexamples.Eventually,in2007theNationalParkAuthority,inpartnershipwiththeNationalTrustandNaturalEnglandsecuredHeritageLotteryFundmoneytolaunchafiveyear‘FixtheFells’project.Likeitspredecessor,thepurposeoftheprojectwastoreducethescarringofimportantlandscapescausedbyuplandpatherosion,itselfcausedbythepassageofmillionsoffeet.

However,theobjectiveswentwiderthanthatandincludedfloodprevention,pollutioncontrol,carbonstorageand,generally,promotinggreaterunderstandingoftheuplands.Theprojectinvolvedrepairandrestorationworktobeundertakenbysome80additionalvolunteersrecruitedandtrainedforthepurpose,andbycontractors.TheprojectwassupportedbytheFriendsoftheLakeDistrict,theTourismandConservationPartnershipandtheRamblersAssociation.

In1976theBoardwasaskedtomediateinaclashbetweenrecreationalandconservationinterestsoveraccesstothecliffsatChapelHeadScar,Witherslackandthedisputeprovidesaninterestingillustrationofthedifficultyofmanagingsomeconflicts.Thecliffsonthelimestoneescarpmentprovideahabitatforavarietyofrarelimestoneplants.Theyalsoprovideopportunitiesforchallengingrockclimbingroutes.Unfortunately,itseemedthatadherencetothecliffcouldonlybeachievedbytheremovalofthevegetationclutteringupthecracksandholds.The‘gardening’activitiesoftheclimberscausedconsternationamongconservationists.NegotiationscommencedwiththeNatureConservancyCouncil,theCumbriaNaturalists’Trust,theBritishMountaineeringCouncilandthelandownertotryandfindanacceptablesolution.

Negotiationswereprotractedandwerenotassistedbythepublicationinearly1977,despitearequestnottodoso,ofaclimbingguidetothecliff.Theauthoroftheguideassertedthatthepopularityofthescarasaclimbingvenuewasinevitableand“theonlywayamajorandprolongedconfrontationwiththeconservationistscanbeavoidedisforclimberstobeallowedtoclimbonthecrag”!Thisratherunderminedthespiritofcompromiseattheheartofthenegotiationsanddidnotbodewellfortheeffectivenessofavoluntarycode.Toreconciletheconflictinginterests,theBoardsecureddelegatedpowerfromCumbriaCountyCounciltodesignatetheScaralocalnaturereserveandthenpromotedbyelawstomanagerockclimbingsothatitcantakeplaceinawaythatisconsistentwiththenatureconservationinterest.

OneaspectofaccesstothecountrysidewheretheNationalParkAuthorityhasactivelybeenencouragingincreaseduseisbypeoplewithlimitedmobility.Overanumberofyears,the‘MileswithoutStiles’projecthasbuilt

19741997

to

Chapel Head Scar, Whitbarrow.

33

upaportfolioofroutesprovidingaccessforwheelchairusers,familieswithpushchairs,thevisuallyimpairedanddogwalkerswithlessactivedogs.Thereareatpresent41routesextendingtosome80kms,includingtworoutes,LatriggandBleaTarn,whichtakeusersintothefells.Theroutesaregradedaccordingtogradientandsurfacecondition.

Upland management

PhaseIIoftheUplandManagementExperiment,runincooperationwiththeCountrysideCommission,cametoanendin1976.Inviewofitssuccess,theBoarddecidedtoestablishtheserviceonapermanentfootingforthewholeoftheNationalPark.Aswiththeexperiment,theobjectoftheservicewastointegratefarmingandrecreationbyundertakingworkonthegroundtoreduceconflictandrepairdamage.Theworkincludedrepairingandreplacingpathfurniture,includingbridges,thedrainage,repairandimprovementofpaths,tacklingpatherosionanddrystonewalling.Wherepossible,workonpathswasundertakensoastofitinwithplanstoextendandimprovethenetwork.Initially,muchoftheworkwasundertakenbyfarmers,themselves.By1986,however,theservicehadgrowntothepointwhereithadbecometheBoard’smaintaskforceforprojectwork.TheemphasishadchangedtoamorecoordinatedassaultonthebacklogofpathobstructionandmaintenanceproblemsfoundthroughouttheParkusingteamsofpermanentandself-employedworkers.Theterm‘uplandmanagement’wasdiscontinuedandthestaffwereabsorbedintonewareateamsworkingunderthenewParkManagementDepartmentandwithawiderangeofskillsandbroaderresponsibilitiesthantheUplandManagementservice.Nonetheless,animportantfunctionoftheareateamsremainedtheundertakingofworktoreduceconflictbetweenthefarmingcommunityandvisitorrecreation.

Brockhole

BrockholegrewinpopularityasacentreforinterpretingthechangingLakeDistrictovertheearlyyearsoftheSpecialPlanningBoard’sexistence.By1977itwascateringforsome170,000visitorsayearwhocametoviewtheexhibitions,towatchaudio-visualpresentationsonarangeoflakelandtopics,tolistentolectures,tobrowseintheshop,toenjoythecafeteriaorsimplytostrollinthegardensandpicniconthelakeshore.Abusyprogrammeof

eventsattractedalargenumberofschoolparties,educationalgroupsandoverseasvisitors.AndthecentrewasalsoafocusforlocalandnationalamenityandconservationbodieswhousedthemeetingfacilitiesandwhofoundthatBrockholeallowedthemtocontactawiderpublic.In1980ananimatedtableauxdepictingcharactersfromthewell-lovedBeatrixPotterstorieswasacquiredwithassistancefromFrederickWarne&Co,thepublishers,andprovedpopular.

In1986,JohnNettleton,thefirstDirectorofthecentre,retired.HisserviceshadbeenrecognisedbytheawardofanMBE.

By1989throughputatBrockholehaddroppedtoaround77,000andtheBoardembarkedonamajorfacelifttocoincidewiththe21stbirthdayofthecentre.Thisinvolvedanewrestaurant,filmtheatre,exhibitionarea,eventshallandvisitorreceptionalongwithanewexhibition.

19741997

to

The Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole.

34

Youth and schools Liaison

TheYouthandSchoolsLiaisonServicewasestablishedin1974anddevelopednaturallyfromtheeducationalactivitiesatBrockhole.ItsobjectivewastomaximisetheeducationalvalueofvisitstotheNationalParkbyschoolsandyouthgroups.Conservation,goodcountrysidebehaviour,environmentalawarenessandsafeenjoymentwereallthemeswhichTonyShearer,thefirstyouthandschoolsliaisonofficer,attemptedtogetacross.ThoroughplanningandpreparationofavisitwasseenasthekeyandthenewlyappointedofficerspentmuchofhistimevisitingteachersandyouthleaderswithinCumbriaandhandlinginformationrequestsfromfurtherafield.Numerousquerieswerereceivedaboutaccommodationforgroups;occasionalquerieswerereceivedaboutthelocationofdiscosintheNationalPark!Suchwasthedemandforassistancethatasecondofficerwasappointedin1976operatingfromtheBlencathraCentretoprovidemorecomprehensivecoverageacrossthenorthernareaoftheLakeDistrict.TheliaisonofficerssawtheirjobasprovidingaserviceratherthanpromotingtheuseoftheNationalPark.Apartfromvisitingschoolsandansweringrequestsforinformation,theirworkinvolvedmeetingandtalkingtopartiesoncetheywereinthearea,organisingcoursesforteachersandleadersandproducingpublications,includingtheeverpopular‘BadWeatherAlternatives’.

Becauseofthepaceofchangeineducationinthelate1980sandearly1990s,theBoardrevieweditseducationalservicetoensurethatitwasresponsivetothischange.TheYouthandSchoolsLiaisonServicebecamethe‘EducationService’andthe‘tutored’sideofeducationinvolvingresidentialcourseswasconcentratedmainlyattheBlencathraCentre.TheretheservicejoinedforceswiththeFieldStudiesCounciltocreateanewcentreofexcellencefortheteachingandpracticeofenvironmentaleducationintheNationalPark.BrockholeremainedanimportantfocusfortheEducationServicehandlingdayvisitswithsome13,500schoolchildrenvisitingthecentreeveryear.In1996,ajointventurewiththeNorthWestWaterAuthorityestablishedtheBrockholeEnvironmentalEducationCentreofferingfreecoursestoschoolchildrenonallaspectsofwaterandthewatercycle.

Sponsorship

MentionwasmadeearlierofthegeneroussupportfromsponsorsinmaintainingtheWeatherlineservice.OvertheyearstheNationalParkAuthorityhasbeenfortunateinattractingdifferentformsofsponsorship.Forexample,Hawkshead(oudoorclothingcompany)donatedmoneyfromthesaleofbootstotacklinguplandpatherosionand,later,donatedmoneyfromthesaleofitsShorelinejacketstodealingwithlakeshoreerosion.BlacksandHawksheadhavebothprovidedsponsorshipfortheEventsprogramme.AndRailtrackhasdonatedmoneytoencouragetheuseofmoresustainableformsoftransportsuchastrains,buses,boatsandbikes.

In1993theBoard,togetherwithCumbriaTourismandtheNationalTrust,establishedtheLakeDistrictTourismandConservationPartnershiptofundconservationprojectsthroughavisitorpaybackschemeandotherformsoffundraising.Bywayofillustration,theUllswaterSteamerCompanyprovidedfundingfromticketsalesforrepairofthepopularHowtowntoGlenriddingfootpath;theFallbarrowandLimefittCaravanParksprovidedfundingforfootpathrepairsonYokeandIllBell;theNewbyBridgeHotelfundedfootpathaccesstoSummerHouseKnott;andWainwright’sinChapelStilefunded

19741997

to

35

repairstotheStickleTarnpath.Inthefirsttenyears,thePartnershipraisedover£310,000andby2010thesumhadrisento£160,000perannumwiththetotalexceeding£1.7million.ThePartnershipcontinuestodayasacharitabletrustunderthetitle‘NurtureLakeland’.

The National Park Review Panel

In1991theNationalParkReviewPanelpublisheditsreport.Ithadbeensetuptoidentifythemainfactorswhichaffectedtheabilityofnationalparkstoachievetheirpurposesandtomakerecommendations.Thepanel,whichincludedJohnToothill,theNationalParkOfficer,proposedfundamentalchangestothesystemformanagingnationalparks.Oneofitsmainrecommendationswastheestablishmentofnewnationalparkauthoritiesfreedfromlocalauthoritycontrol.ThiswasgiveneffectintheEnvironmentAct1995andledtothedemiseoftheLakeDistrictSpecialPlanningBoard.

AnotherkeyrecommendationoftheReviewPanelwasthatanAssociationofNationalParkAuthoritiesshouldbeformedtorepresenttheviewsofnationalparksatthenationallevelandtoadvisegovernmentsonpolicyandlegislation.SuchanAssociationwasquicklyestablishedwiththemembershipcomprisingthechairmenofeachnationalparkauthority.ThefirstChairmanoftheAssociationwasSteeleAddison,theLakeDistrictChairmanfrom1989to1999,andthefirstSecretaryoftheAssociationwasJohnToothill.TheappointmentsreflectedinsomemeasuretheregardinwhichtheworkoftheLakeDistrictNationalParkwasheldatthattime.

36

19741997

to

The first year

On1April1997theLakeDistrictSpecialPlanningBoardceasedtoexistand,byvirtueoftheNationalParkAuthorities(England)Order1996,responsibilityforthemanagementoftheNationalParkpassedtothenewlycreatedLakeDistrictNationalParkAuthority.

1997wastheyearthataLabourgovernmentunderTonyBlairsweptintopowerfollowingalandslidevictoryatthegeneralelection.ItwasalsotheyearthatDiana,PrincessofWales,diedfollowingacarcrash.TheUKtransferredsovereigntyofHongKongtoChina.McDonald’swontheMcLibelcase,thelongesttrialinEnglishlegalhistory,againsttwoenvironmentalcampaigners.‘LoveShineaLight’byKatrinaandtheWaveswontheEurovisionsongcontestfortheUK.AsurveybyStrathclydeUniversityratedKendalthebesttowninEnglandintermsofqualityoflife.AndthefirstHarryPotternovelwaspublished.

TheestablishmentoftheLakeDistrictNationalParkAuthorityheraldedmorethanjustachangeofname.ThestatutorywordingofthepurposesofNationalParkswasrevised;theSandfordprinciple(givinggreaterweighttoconservingandenhancingthenaturalbeauty,wildlifeandculturalheritageintheeventofirreconcilableconflictbetweenthetwostatutorypurposes)wasplacedonastatutoryfooting;aduty‘toseektofostertheeconomicandsocialwell-beingoflocalcommunitieswithintheNationalPark’wasintroduced;andtherewereminorchangesinthefunctionsoftheAuthority.Thenumberofmembersdroppedfrom30to26.Ofthese,14wereappointed

The Lake District National Park Authority

1997 date

to

The Lake District National Park logo is based on the view from Wastwater.

37

bytheconstituentlocalauthoritiesand12bytheSecretaryofStatefortheEnvironment.Tosecuregreaterlocalaccountability,fiveofthe12ministerialappointeeswereselectedbytheParishCouncilsintheParkfromamongtheircouncillors.Subsequently,thenumberofmemberswasreducedfurtherto22with12appointedbythelocalauthoritiesand10bytheMinister(includingfourselectedbyParishCouncils).

ThebudgetfortheAuthorityfortheyear1997-98was£5,542,767.ThecompositionofthebudgetreflectednewfinancialarrangementsintroducedbytheEnvironmentAct1995.Approximatelyonehalfcamefromcentralgovernmentgrant(£2,837,000).Aboutonesixthofthebudget(£945,667)camefromalevyontheconstituentlocalauthorities,equaltoonethirdofthegovernmentgrant.Thelevywasapportionedaccordingtothenumberofmembersappointedbyanauthority.Therestofthemoneymakingupthebudget(£1,760,100)camefromincomeraisedbytheAuthorityintheformofparkingcharges,planningapplicationfees,salesfrominformationcentresandBrockhole,theConistonBoatingCentreandgrantsandsponsorshipfromotherbodies.

1997 to 2004

In1997Europeanfundingwasconfirmedtoenableresearchtobeundertakenleadingtothepreparationofmajormanagementplansfortwomountainmassifs:HelvellynandSkiddaw.Bothareareasofoutstandingimportancefornatureconservation,bothareimportanttothelocalfarmingeconomyandboth,butparticularlyHelvellyn,areprovingincreasinglypopularforrecreation.

Akeyobjectiveistotestamassif-wideapproachtoresolvinglandmanagementissues.Theaimistoincorporateconservationobjectivesintolandmanagementandtoidentifylongtermsolutionstotheissuesarisinginsuchfragileareaswhichmayberelevanttoothermountainareas.ApartnershipinvolvingtheAuthority,EnglishNature,UnitedUtilitiesandlocal

1997 date

to

The summit of Helvellyn.

38

landmanagershasbeenestablishedandarangeoflandscape,wildlifeandrecreationalmanagementprojectsarebeingundertaken.

JohnToothillretiredin1998after27yearsworkingfortheLakeDistrictNationalPark,12ofthemasNationalParkOfficer.HiscontributiontotheNationalParkoverthisperiodwasrecognisedbytheawardofanOBE.TheChairman,SteeleAddisondescribedhimas“abrilliantleaderofasuccessfulteam”.TheLakeDistrictNationalPark,hesaid,“hasgrowninstatureunderhisleadership”.HisplacewastakenbyPaulTiplady,acharteredTownPlannerandLandscapeArchitectandformerlytheChiefOfficeroftheSussexDownsConservationBoard.

In1999theAuthoritywasdelightedbytheawardofanMBEtoDerekTunstall.Derekhadbeenavoluntarywardenfor25yearsandChairmanoftheservicesince1994.Inwelcomingtheaward,PeterPhizacklea,theChairmanoftheAuthority,referredtoDerek’senormouscontributiontothevolunteerserviceandtotheessentialworkoftheserviceitself.

2001sawthe50thanniversaryoftheestablishmentoftheLakeDistrictNationalParkandtheBoardcelebratedtheeventonMaydayBankHolidaywitha‘PartnersinthePark’dayheldjointlyatBrockholeandattheGlebe,Bowness.AlivebroadcastofBluePeterfromBrockhole,conservationactivities,apostcardcompetition,agiantbirthdaycake,displaytentsandaflypastbyaSpitfireandaHurricanewereamongstthehighlights.OthereventsduringtheyearincludedthelaunchonValentine’sDay,withthebenefitofahugeValentinecardsignedby124celebrities,ofafundraisingappealtoraisemoneyforconservationandcommunityprojects;thepublicationofanaccountoftheVoluntaryWardenServicebyJohnWyatt;a50thanniversaryphotographycompetition;anda‘NationalParkinAction’weekendatBrockhole.

Unfortunately,thecelebrationswereovershadowedbywhatPaulTipladydescribedas“themostseriouscrisistheNationalParkhaseverfaced”.FootandmouthdiseasearrivedintheNationalPark.Asmentionedearlier,anepidemicin1967hadresultedinpeoplebeingaskedtostayoffthehills.Thistime,however,theimpactwasmoresevere.On20thFebruary2001,thefirstcaseoffootandmouthdiseasewasidentifiedinEngland.ItspreadtoCumbriaduringMarchand,despiteallprecautions,bytheendofthemonthninecaseshadbeenreportedintheNationalPark.BytheendofApril,thatnumberhaddoubledandbyJulythenumberofreportedcaseshadrisento52.Ninety-eightpercentoftheNationalParkwasdesignatedbytheMinistryofAgriculture,FisheriesandFoodasinfected.TheAuthoritywaspartoftheCumbriaFootandMouthDiseaseTaskForce.Allfootpathsandbridlewaysacrossoradjoiningagriculturallandwereclosedandmorethan10,000restrictionsignswereputinplacebytherangersandthevoluntarywardens.Accesstothelakelandfellswasclosed.TheAuthority’sruralcarparks,accesslandandwoodlandswereclosed.SotooweretheAuthority’scommons,BassenthwaiteLake,ConistonBoatingCentre,andtheselfcateringaccommodationatGreensideMineandattheBlencathraCentre.DisinfectantmatswereputinplaceontheroadsacrosstheAuthority’scommons.Felltopassessmentswerediscontinued,sitevisitsbystaffandmemberswerecancelled,publicationoftheEventsGuidewaspostponedandallAuthorityvehiclesweredisinfectedwhenleavingandreturningtodepots.Apartfromhelpingtocontainthespread,ahelplinewasestablishedandmannedsevendaysaweekandtheAuthorityprovidedup-to-dateinformationonthesituationintheNationalParkforthepublic.TheAuthorityjoinedwiththeNationalTrustandothersinpushingforthevaccinationofheftedflocks.

1974 date

to

39

AndanattemptwasmadetosupporttheruraleconomybymakingitclearthattheNationalParkremainedopenforvisitorsstayinginthetownsandvillagesandtravellingontarmac.Amonthlypublication,Right Here, Right Now,gaveinformationabouttheradicallyrevisedeventsprogramme.ItwasnotuntilJanuary2002thatCumbriawaseventuallydeclared‘diseasefree’.Bythattime,verysubstantialdamagehadbeendonetotheruraleconomyandtheinterdependenceoffarmingandtourismhadbeenthrownintosharpfocus.

Onepieceofgoodnewsin2001wasthehatchingofanospreychickontheAuthority’spropertyatBassenthwaite,thefirstintheLakeDistrictsince1842.OspreynestshadbeendiscoveredfromtimetotimeintheNationalPark,generallybyclimbers,andwherethesewereknowntherangersinconjunctionwiththeRSPB,andsupportedbythevoluntarywardens’service,hadprovidedprotection.TwoadultospreyshadbeenobservedatBassenthwaiteLakeoverseveralsummersandanestingsitewasconstructedtoencouragebreeding.PerseverancewasrewardedwhenaneggwaseventuallylaidinApril2001.TheNationalParkAuthority,inconjunctionwiththeForestryCommissionandtheRSPB,setupclosedcircuittelevisionandprovidedroundtheclockmonitoringofthenest.

AmalechickwashatchedinJuneandbetweenJuneandAugustmorethan25,000visitorscametoviewthebirds.VisitorscouldseethebirdshuntingoverthelakefromtheDoddWoodtelescopeviewingsiteorenjoycloseupviewsofthebirdsintheirnestatthelivevideomonitoringsiteattheWhinlatterVisitorCentre.Thebirdsbredagainsuccessfullythefollowingyear,attractingmorethan100,000visitors,andhavebredsuccessfullyeveryyearsince.

Alsoin2001rangersandvoluntarywardenshelpedintherecoveryoftheremainsofDonaldCampbell’sspeedboat,Bluebird,fromConistonWaterwhereithadlainsinceCampbell’sill-fatedattemptontheWorldWaterSpeedrecordon4thJanuary1967.Inthesameyear,theAuthoritygrantedplanningpermissionforanextensiontotheRuskinMuseuminConistontohouseBluebird.

Thatwasnotquitetheendofthestory.Intheinterim,workhasbeengoingontorebuildBluebird.In2009theAuthoritywasaskedtoagreetoanamendmenttothespeedlimitbyelawsonConistonWatertoallowaone-offtrialofthereconstructedBluebird.Atthetimeofwriting,theAuthorityhasagreedtopromotesuchanamendmentandconfirmationbytheMinisterisawaited.Thetrialhasstilltotakeplace.

1997 date

to

Ospreys began breeding again in the Lake District in 2001.

Recovering the remains of Bluebird in 2001.

40

In2004thevoluntarywardens’servicecelebratedits50thanniversary.Celebrationsincludedatreeplanting,thelaunchofaVolunteers’Goldbeer,thepublicationofPutting Something BackbySheilaRichardson,awalkbyvolunteersroundtheLakeDistrictboundaryandamasslitterpick.Amajorreviewoftheserviceduringtheyearresultedinsomechanges,includingachangeofnametotheLakeDistrictVolunteersService.Theservicecomprisesacoreoftrainedandcommittedvoluntaryrangersundertakingthefullrangeoftasks,providingleadershipwithintheServiceandworkingcloselywiththerangers.Therevisedservicealsomakesiteasierforpeople(volunteers)tovolunteeroccasionallyandtoundertakeonlythosetasksinwhichtheyareinterested.TopromotebetterintegrationwiththeAuthority,thereviewrecommendedthesettingupofaVolunteers’Forumcomprisingvolunteers,staffandmembersandtheappointmentofavolunteercoordinator.

2005 to 2011

2005wastheAuthority’s‘annushorribilis’.Membershadapprovedanewmanagementstructurewithsixdirectorstobringnewthinkingtotheorganisation.Atthesametime,extendedpayscaleshadbeennegotiatedwithstaff.Theresultingincreaseinthecostofrunningtheorganisation,coupledwiththeimpositionofasevereefficiencysavingsrequirement,causedfinancialdifficulties.TherewasstandingroomonlyattheJanuary2005AuthoritymeetingwhenKerryPowell,thenewlyappointedDirectorofFinance,advisedthatalthoughtheAuthoritywasnotyetinfinancialcrisis,decisiveactionwouldbeneededifitwastobeavoided.Therewas,shesaid,apressingneedtoaddressapotentialandincreasingshortfallinthebudgetsfor2005-6,2006-7and2007-8.Costswouldhavetobereducedandincomeincreased.Ifmembersweretobeabletosetabalancedbudgetfortheforthcomingyear,asrequired,bytheendofMarch,realcash-basedsavingswereneededimmediatelyandthatwouldrequiredisinvestmentinsomeareas.TheDistrictAuditorhadexpressedconcernsabouttheAuthority’soverallfinancialstanding.Memberswerewarnedthatredundancieswerelikely.

Onedecisionthathadbeenmadeinanticipationoftheneedtomakesavingswasthecancellationoftheprogrammeofvolunteer-ledguidedwalks.Thedecisionwasmadepartlybecauseofthedepartureofthetwomembersofstaffwithoversightoftheprogramme,partlybecauseofaneedtomakeimmediatecashsavingsandpartlyalsobecauseofafeelingthatmoreneededtobedoneintheeventsprogrammetoengagewithminoritygroups.Unfortunately,becauseoftheneedtoactquickly,thedecisionwasmadewithoutconsultationwiththeVolunteersService.Itcausedagreatdealofresentmentamongstvolunteersandledtowidespreadadversepublicity.Inresponsetothereaction,Authoritymembers,attheFebruarymeeting,wentoutoftheirwaytorecordtheirappreciationoftheworkoftheVolunteersServiceandamotiontorestoretheeventsprogrammewascarried,inpartbecauseofanofferofsponsorshipforthatyear.AworkinggroupwassetuptolookatwaysofextendingfutureeventsprogrammestoawideraudienceandthisledinduecoursetoinvolvementintheMosaicprojectdesignedtoengagewithminoritygroups.Therecommendationsofthe2004reviewwithregardtobetterintegrationbetweentheAuthorityandtheVolunteersServiceweregiveneffect:aVolunteers’ForumwasestablishedandTimDuckmantonwasappointedtothepostofvolunteercoordinatorinAugust2005.

Nonetheless,theneedtomakeimmediatesavingsremained.Afterconsiderationofoptions,thedecisionwastakentoreducetheinvestment

1974 date

to

41

ininformationservices.Whiletheobjectivewascashsavings,thedecisionreflectedthefactthatotherbodieshadmovedintoinformationprovisionandthatvisitorswereincreasinglyaccessinginformationinotherways.ThecentresatWaterhead,PooleyBridgeandBorrowdalewouldremainclosedfortheseasonpendingadecisiononthefutureofallthecentres.Eventually,theAuthoritydecidedtoclosetheinformationcentresatConiston,Grasmere,PooleyBridge,Hawkshead,WaterheadandBorrowdale.ThecentresatKeswick,BownessBayandUllswater,whichbetweenthemattractedabouttwothirdsofthevisitors,wouldcontinueandwouldallowtheAuthoritytoprovideareasonablegeographicspreadacrossthePark.Meanwhile,theAuthoritywouldexplorewithCumbriaTourismwaysofimprovingthecoordinationofvisitorinformationprovisionwithintheNationalPark.

ToaddtotheAuthority’swoesduring2005,ithadvolunteeredtobeaguineapigforthenewNationalParkPerformanceAssessment.Theprocessinvolvedaselfassessmentfollowedbypeerreviewbyexternalassessors.TheAuthorityhadrecognisedtheneedfor,andthevalueof,someformofexternalauditofitswork.TheeventualreportinApril2005wascriticaloftheAuthority’sperformanceinanumberofimportantrespects.Thecriticismactedasacatalystforimprovement.TheAuthorityembarkedonathreeyearprogrammeofcomprehensiveimprovementfocusing,amongstotherthings,onstrategicplanningandmanagement,moderngovernance,organisationdevelopment,communicationsandtheuseofresources.Abudgetwasallocatedandasmallteamestablishedtocarrytheprogrammethrough.

OneoftheprincipalcriticismsofthePerformanceAssessmentwastheabsenceofaclearanddynamicvision.OverthenextyeartheAuthorityworkedtodevelopthis.AnearlystepwasthesettingupoftheLakeDistrictNationalParkPartnershipdrawingtogether,atthattime,18keyorganisations(now23)involvedinthedeliveryofnationalparkpurposesandwithanindependentchairman,LordClarkofWindermere.TheVisionwaseventuallyagreedbythePartnershipinMay2006:

“TheLakeDistrictNationalParkwillbeaninspirationalexampleofsustainabledevelopmentinaction:workingtogetherforaprosperouseconomy,worldclassvisitorexperiences,vibrantcommunities–andallsustainingaspectacularlandscape,wildlifeandculturalheritage”.

Twenty-fourkeydeliveryaimswereidentifiedtoachievetheVisionand,fortheAuthority,theseaimsunderpinnedthethreeyearbusinessplanwhichisrolledforwardonanannualbasis.Subsequently,thePartnershipembarkedonthepreparationofanewfiveyearmanagementplanfortheNationalParksettingouttheVisionandtheoutcomeswhichshowedhowthenationalparkpurposesandtheassociateddutiesweretobedeliveredovertheperiod2010-2015.Itwas,ineffect,adeliveryplanfortheVision.BygivingownershipoftheplantothePartnership,theAuthoritybrokenewground.AsBillJefferson,theChairmanoftheNationalParkAuthority,statedintheForwardtothePlanwhenitwaseventuallyadoptedbyallthepartnersinSeptember2010,“Thecriticaldifferencetopreviousapproachesisthatthisplanhasbeenpreparedandthereforeownedbytheorganisationsneededtosecureitsdelivery”.

ItwasthefirsttimeanationalparkplanhadbeencreatedinthiswayandreflectedthecommentbyDefrathat“nationalparkmanagementplansareplansfornationalparks,notjustparkauthorities”.Itwashopedthat,bysecuringbuy-infromthepartnerscoupledwithcleararrangementsformonitoringthePlanandformeasuringdelivery,therewouldbeabetter

The Partnership Plan for the National Park.

1997 date

to

42

prospectthanwasthecaseunderpreviousplansformakingrealprogresstowardsachievingtheVision.

Balancingthebudgetforthefinancialyear2006-07provedchallengingfortheAuthorityandresultedinaseveresqueezeonspendingandareductionintheworkforceby29posts.However,byNovember2007theAuditCommissionwasabletoacknowledgetheAuthority’ssuccessinstabilisingandstrengtheningitsfinancialpositionandimprovingitsfinancialmanagement.

AreviewoftheAuthorityin2008showedmajorimprovementsinallareaswiththeassessmentteamcommentingthatitwasthefastestorganisationalturnaroundthattheyhadseen.ThetransformationoftheorganisationcrystallisedthatyearwhentheAuthoritywasoneofthefirstpublicbodiestoachievethenationalCustomerServiceExcellenceAward.Theaward,whichappliedtothewholeoftheorganisation,demonstratedthepositivecustomerserviceapproachwhichhadgrownoutoftheimprovementprogramme.Toretaintheaward,anorganisationmustcontinuetoratchetupitsstandardsyearonyearanditispleasingtorecordthattheAuthoritysuccessfullyretainedtheawardin2009,2010andagainin2011.TheAssessmentReportinMay2010stated:

“Goodrelationshipswithbusinesspartners,whohaveastrongroletoplayintheeconomicsuccessoftheLakeDistrictNationalPark,haveresultedinhighlevelsofcooperativeworking.Increasingly,theAuthorityisdevelopingmorein-depthinsightintotheneedsofcustomersandpotentialcustomersandconsultationremainscentraltoitswork”.

Itwasn’tallbadnewsin2005.Theplanningservice,whichhadbeenidentifiedtwoyearspreviouslybytheOfficeoftheDeputyPrimeMinisterasoneoftheworstperformingplanningauthoritiesinthecountryintermsofspeedofdecision-makinganddevelopmentcontrolmonitoring,wassingledoutasoneofthefastestimprovingauthoritiesinthecountry.By2008mattershadimprovedtothepointwheretheGovernmentrecogniseditasthebestperformingserviceinCumbriaandthebestperformingamongthenationalparkauthorities.

ThemeetingsoftheDevelopmentControlCommitteeatthistimedifferedinsignificantwaysfromthemeetingsoftheCommitteein1951and1974.Firstofall,in1951alldecisionsweremadebehindcloseddoors.NotonlywereapplicantsandobjectorsunabletoaddresstheCommittee,theycouldn’tevengetthroughthedoortolistentothedeliberationsoftheCommittee.Now,inthisageofopennessandtransparency,notonlycanthepublicattendmeetingsandlistentothedebatesbutapplicantsandobjectorscanaddresstheCommitteeaboutparticularapplications.Secondly,in1974everyapplicationwasdeterminedbytheCommittee.AstheNationalParkAuthorityreceivedaround1,000applicationsinthatyear,risingtomorethan1,500by1989,everyCommitteehadtodealonaveragewithsome120applications.Togetthroughthebusiness,applicationsweredecidedapageatatime.Nowaschemeofdelegationisinplacewhichprovidesforextensivedelegationofdecision-makingtoofficers(almost90percentofdecisions).Thishastheeffectofspeedingupthedecision-makingprocess.ItalsomeansthatthescheduleofapplicationsfordecisionbytheCommitteecontainsonlytheeightorsomajororcontroversialapplicationssothatmembershavetimetoconsiderthemfully.Ofcourse,openness,transparencyandathoroughconsiderationofeveryapplicationisnotnecessarilysynonymouswithahappyapplicant.Ononeoccasionadisgruntledlocalapplicantforplanning

1974 date

to

43

permissiondescribedtheDevelopmentControlCommitteeas“aneo-fascistparamilitaryjunta”!

Andinlinewithwell-establishedprecedent,theAuthoritywasrequiredtoembarkontheprocessofpreparingyetanothernewformofdevelopmentplan.TheJointPlanningBoardandtheSpecialPlanningBoardwerebothrequiredtodevoteconsiderabletimeandresourcestopreparingnewformsofdevelopmentplans.SoitwaswiththeAuthority.ThefocalpointwastobetheCoreStrategy,adocumentwhichwastoshowhowtheAuthorityintendedtodelivertheVisionfortheNationalParkstrategicallyandspatiallyovertheperiodto2025.Speedofpreparationandflexibilitytochangingcircumstancesweretobethehallmarksofthenewformofplan.Infact,likeearlierdevelopmentplans,theproceduresweresuchthatittookalongtimetoprepareanditwasnotuntilOctober2010thatitwaseventuallyadopted.

Asbefore,theprovisionofhousingforlocalpeoplewasakeyissueinthedevelopmentplan.MentionhasalreadybeenmadeoftheevolutionoftheLakeDistrict‘homesforlocals’policy.Ministerialendorsementofthatpolicy

wasreflectedintheapprovalin2006oftheCumbriaandLakeDistrictJointStructurePlan.PolicyH20ofthatPlanrestrictednewhousingintheNationalParktothatwhichcontributedtomeetinganidentifiedhousingneed.Verylargelyitwasaboutmeetingtheneedforaffordablehousing.TheAuthorityhadbeenmonitoringthehousingpositionandwiththepercentageofsecondandholidayhomesinsomevillagesnowtopping70percentitwasclearthattheneedforaffordablehousingintheNationalParkwasstrongerthanever.

ThenewpolicyintheCoreStrategymadeprovisionformeetingbothaffordableandlocalneedshousing.ThesetermsweresubsequentlydefinedinaSupplementaryPlanningDocumentadoptedbytheAuthorityin2010.Thismadeclearthatthepolicynowextendedbeyondmeetingtheneedsoflocalpeoplewhocouldnotaffordtocompeteinthemarketandincludedmeetingdemandforhousingfrompeoplehavingadefined‘localconnection’withanarea,includingpeoplepreviouslyresidentinanareawhonowwishedtoreturn.Thepurposeoftheextensionwastocontributetowardssupportingvibrantandsustainablecommunities.

OneotheraspectoftheCoreStrategydeservesmentionbecauseitisthoughttobeafirstforadevelopmentplan.TheStrategyrecognisesthattheNationalParkcanbedividedspatiallyintodistinctiveareas.Fiveareidentified:North,East,CentralandSouthEast,South,andWest.Thedocumentexplainswhateachareaislikenow,whattheissuesareandwhatitishopedtodoaboutthemoverthePlanperiod(to2025).Forexample,44percentofalldevelopmentoverthePlanperiodisexpectedtotakeplaceintheCentralandSouthEastAreawhereasonlysevenpercentisexpectedtotakeplaceintheEastArea.

WhiletherearecorepolicieswhichapplythroughouttheNationalPark,area-basedpoliciesreflectingthedifferencesaredevelopedforeachdistinctivearea.Butitisnotonlypolicieswhichreflectthedistinctiveareas.ThePlanning

Affordable housing contributes towards supporting vibrant and sustainable communities.

1997 date

to

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andParkServiceshavebeenreorganisedsothattheycanrespondtotheissuesarisingineacharea.

PaulTipladyretiredin2006andRichardLeafewasappointedChiefExecutivewitheffectfromJune2007.RichardhasabackgroundingeographyandcoastalgeomorpholgyandhadheldseveralmanagerialpostswithEnglishNatureandthenNaturalEngland,mostrecentlyasRegionalDirectorfortheNorthWest,beforetakinguphisappointmentwiththeNationalPark.

In2007,theAuthorityundertookareviewofthefutureoftheLakeDistrictVisitorCentreatBrockhole.ThecentrewasrunningatasubstantiallosswhichtheAuthoritycouldillafford.Afterconsideringoptions,itwasdecidedthattheobjectiveshouldbetoprovideaworldclassvisitorcentrefortheNationalPark.Itwasclearthatthiswouldrequiresignificantinvestment.AprojectboardwassetupandaDevelopmentProgrammeDirectorwasappointedtocarrythisforward.InJune2009amasterplanwasapprovedbytheAuthorityinvolvingaphasedapproachtotheredevelopmentofthesite.Itincludedanewlakesideferryhubwithanewjettycapableofaccommodatinglargesteamersandwaterbuses,restorationoftheGradeIIMawsongardens,ahighropescourseandatreelinewalkway,awatersportscentretargetedatthe

tastermarket,anindoorinteractivevisitorattraction,aCumbrianretailfacilityincludingafarmshop,alargenewcaféfacility,atasterclimbingwallandindoorandoutdooradventureplayareas.TheAuthorityhasbeenfortunateinattractinggrantaidfromtheEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFundforthelakesideferryhubwiththenewjettywhichopenedin2011.

In2008theAuthoritywasgivenanopportunitytoplayamoredirectroleinsupportingthefarmingcommunity.FarmingisthedominantlandusewithintheNationalParkandtheAuthorityanditspredecessorshad,foralongtime,beenmindfulofthekeyrolewhichfarmersandlandownersplayincreatingandmaintainingthelandscapewhichvisitorscometoenjoy.Inthe1991-92AnnualReport,theChairmanoftheSpecialPlanningBoard,SteeleAddisonsaid:

“TheappearanceandbeautyoftheNationalParkdependstoagreatextentonthemanagementofitsmagnificentuplandsandforcenturiesitissheepfarmingwhichhasmaintainedthisfragile,harshenvironment.Openmoorlandwithitsheathers,grassesandjuniperandlowlandmeadowsboundedbytraditionaldrystonewallsareverymuchappreciatedbythemillionsofvisitorswhoflocktothearea”.

ThereisnodoubtthataviableLakeDistrictfarmingindustrycandomuchtoconservethelandscapeinapositiveway.Butlandscapeconsiderationshavenotbeentheonlyfactor.TheAuthorityhasadutytofostertheeconomicandsocialwell-beingoflocalcommunitiesintheNationalParkanduplandfarmersareonesuchcommunity.However,untilrecentlytherewaslittleit

Farming plays an important part in shaping the landscape.

1974 date

to

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coulddodirectlytohelpachievethis.MentionwasmadeearlieroftheUplandManagementExperimentwhichsoughttoreconciletheinterestsoffarmersandvisitors.Subsequently,thedesignationin1993oftheLakeDistrictasanEnvironmentallySensitiveArea(ESA),thelargestintheUK,raisedtheprofileofenvironmentallybenignfarming.FarmersenteringtheESAschemewouldagreea10yearplanwiththeMinistryofAgriculture,FisheriesandFoodtofarminamoretraditionalandlessintensivewayandinreturnwouldreceiveannualagri-environmentpaymentsundertheschemeandaccesstocapitalgrantsforconservationworks.Amid-termreviewoftheschemein1998showedagoodtakeupandanencouragingreductioninenvironmentaldeterioration.Theincidenceofenvironmentalenhancementwaslessclearcut.

In2008theAuthorityenteredintoapilotEnvironmentalLandManagementService(ELMS)withNaturalEnglandunderwhichNationalParkrangerswouldworkwithNaturalEnglandtohelpfarmersandlandownerssubjecttoESAagreementstoidentifyeligibleprojectsforfundingandtohelpwiththepreparationofConservationPlanapplications.Overtheperiodofayear,rangersmademorethan150farmvisitsandhelpedcomplete154ConservationPlanapplications.ConservationPlanworksincludedtheplantingandrestorationofmorethan45kilometresofhedgerows,morethan14kilometresofdrystonewallrestoration,therestorationof35traditionalfarmbuildings,peathabitatenhancementworksandtheprotectionof21archaeologicalfeatures.

However,by2010NaturalEnglandwasnolongeraddingnewcapitalworkstoexistingESAagreementssotherewasnolongeracalltohelpwithConservationPlanapplications.InsteadtheservicedevelopedsothatrangerscouldhelpfarmersandlandownerswithinitialadviceandwithassistanceincompletingapplicationsundertheemergingHigherLevelStewardshipSchemewhichprovidesfundingforfarmersandotherlandmanagersdeliveringbenefitsforbiodiversityandthenaturalenvironment.

RecentlytheAuthorityhassetupaFarmingandForestryTaskForcetocreateadirectlineofcommunicationwithleadingfarmersandforestersintheNationalPark.AndtheLakeDistrictNationalParkPartnership’sLandManagementStrategyGroupensuresanintegratedapproachtothecomplexitiesofcatchment-widemanagement.

TheAuthority,inconjunctionwithpartners,launchedthe‘Low-carbonLakeDistrict’initiativeatamajorconferencein2008.ItwasaresponsetothenationalagendaonactionforclimatechangeandthepressingneedtoreducecarbonemissionsintheUK.Keythemesoftheinitiativewerecommunitiesreducingenergycostsandgeneratingrenewableenergyfromwater,wind,sunandwood;tourismbusinessestappingintothegrowingmarketforlow-impactholidays;thepromotionofmoresustainabletransportoptionsliketheB4Network:bikes,boots,boatsandbuses;andthelockingofgreenhousegasesintothelandscapethroughgoodlandmanagement.TheAuthoritywasdeterminedtoleadbyexamplebydevelopingacarbonbudgetfortheNationalPark,byformulatingplanningpoliciespromotingenergyefficiencyandsupportingrenewableenergy,bysettingatargetofreducingitsowncarbonemissionsby25percentby2012against2007-08levelsandbyusingitssustainabledevelopmentfundtosupportcommunityrenewableenergyprojects.ProgressbytheAuthorityinreducingcarbonemissionswasreflectedin2009intheNationalFleetHeroesAwardforthebestpublicsectorfleetoflessthan250vehicles,andagainin2010whenitwontheleadershipcategoryoftheAward.

1997 date

to

The B4 network promotes sustainable transport.

46

In2009PeterPhizacklea,CumbriaCountyCouncillor,thelongestservingmemberoftheAuthorityand,itisthought,thelongestservingmemberofanynationalparkauthority,retiredafter32years.DuringthatperiodhehadservedtwiceasChairman,from1981-85andfrom1999-2002.Hisenormouscontributiontonationalparksandtolocalgovernmentwasacknowledgedin2003withtheawardofanOBE.RonnieCalvin,aCumbriaCountyCouncillor,retiredasamemberatthesametimehavingcompleted28yearsservice,aclosesecond!

TheLakeDistrictexperiencedrecordlevelsofrainfallinNovember2009whichledtoseverefloodingwithdevastatingimpactsoncommunitiesandbusinesses.Cockermouthwasparticularlybadlyhit.Windermerelakerosebyfourfeetcausingmanyboatsatmooringstocapsize.Staffandvolunteerswereheavilyinvolvedinrescueandrecoverywork.BownessBayInformationCentreandConistonBoatingCentrewerebothflooded.Subsequentinspectionshowedthat194bridgesandnumerouspathshadbeendamagedintheNationalParkandamajorprogrammeofrepairwasputinhandwithgrantaidfromDefra.

InJune2010theincomingcoalitiongovernment,facedwithanunprecedentedlevelofnationaldebt,immediatelyreducedtheNationalParkgrantbyfivepercentandembarkedonaComprehensiveSpendingReviewtoreducepublicspending.TheAuthority,aspartofitsfinancialmanagementarrangements,hadanticipatedasubstantialreductioninthefundingofNationalParksfrom2011onwards,andhadinitiatedfinancialscenarioplanningasearlyasautumn2009sothatitwouldbereadytodealwithgrantreductionswhentheycame.Carefulfinancialmanagementinthesettingofthe2010-11budgetandduringthe2010-11financialyearallowedmorethan£1,000,000toberemovedfromthe2011-12budgetprojections.ThismeantthattheAuthoritywaswellplacedtoabsorbthecutwhenitwaseventuallyannounced.InDecember2010theAuthoritywasnotifiedthatitsgrantwastobecutby28.5percentinrealtermsoverthenextfouryears,ahugecutinfundingbyanystandard.TheAuthorityhadapprovedastrategyinanticipationoftheannouncement.ThisdefinedthewayinwhichtheAuthorityintendedtodeliveritspurposesanditsVisioninthelightofthereductioninspending.WhiletheAuthoritywouldbedoingless,theobjectivewas,nonetheless,tobe‘fitforpurpose’.Thestrategyidentifiedprioritiesandtriggeredthereorganisationandredirectionofsomeservices.Thestrategyadoptedatwostageapproachtophasingbudgetreductionssoastoprovideasmuchcertaintyforstaffandasmuchstabilityfortheorganisationasitwaspossibletoachieveinthecircumstances.Annualfinancialsavingsof£522,000wouldberequiredtobalancethebudgets.Twelvepostsweretobelostinthefirststage.Itwasanticipatedthatafurthertrancheofsavingswouldberequiredtobalancethe2013-14and2014-15budgets.

Severe flooding at Bowness Bay, November 2009.

47

Onamorepositivenote,theGovernmenthasshortlistedtheLakeDistrictfornominationtoUNESCOforinscriptionasaWorldHeritageSite.Ifsuccessful,itwillstandalongsidetheTajMahal,theEgyptianpyramids,theGrandCanyon,Hadrian’sWallandStonehengeasasiteofOutstandingUniversalValue.TheLakeDistrictwasfirstnominatedin1985underthe‘NaturalArea’categorybutthebidwasdeferredbyUNESCObecausetheLakeDistrictdidnotpassthe‘naturalintegrity’test.TheLakeDistrictisaliving,workinglandscape.In1993,asresultofthedeferredbid,UNESCOaddedanewcategoryof‘CulturalLandscape’totheWorldHeritagelist.TheLakeDistrictwasincludedbytheGovernmentinatentativelistfornominationin2000butthiswasnottakenforward.NowtheAuthorityispartofacounty-widepartnershipworkingonaWorldHeritageSiteManagementPlan.ItisanticipatedthatinscriptionwouldhavepositiveeconomicandsocialimpactsonCumbria.

Finally,andcomingfullcircletothebeginning,BlackSailYouthHostelattheheadoftheEnnerdalevalleyisbackontheagenda.AtthetimeofwritingaplanningapplicationhasbeensubmittedtotheAuthorityforanextension.IthasyettocomebeforetheDevelopmentControlCommittee.Itwillbeinterestingtoseewhether,after60yearsoftheNationalPark,thedesignandmaterialsbetterreflectthelocationoftheHostelthantheapplicationwhichcamebeforetheLakeDistrictPlanningBoardshortlyafterithadbeenestablished.

1997 date

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Duringthecelebrationsin2001tomarkthe50thanniversaryofthedesignationoftheLakeDistrictNationalPark,Park Lifecommented:

“FiftyyearshavepassedsincetheLakeDistrictbecamethecountry’ssecondNationalParkin1951.YetthereisverylittletoshowinthistimefortheworkofoneoftheorganisationswithamajorroleinlookingaftertheNationalPark–thatis,apartfromacresofemptyspace,lakes,forests,fells…freedomandfreshair”.

Ifitisrightthatthereislittletoshowonthesurface,thisrecordoftheworkoftheNationalParkAuthorityoverthelast60yearsshowsthatunderneaththewatertheAuthority,tousetheanalogyoftheswan,hashadtopaddlefuriouslytokeepitso.ItisonlybecauseoftheworkoftheAuthorityanditspredecessorsandtheirpartnersinmanagingchangethattheimpacts,forexample,oftheadventofelectricitytothevalleys,orofthetappingofthelakesforwatersupply,oroftheafforestationofthehillsandvalleys,orofthepressureforroadimprovementsorofdevelopmenttomeettheinsatiabledemandsoftourism,orofthemillionsoffeetonthefellsideshavenotbeengreater.Inthisway,theAuthorityanditspredecessorshavesoughttoachievethefirstofthenationalparkpurposes:conservingandenhancingthenaturalbeauty,wildlifeandculturalheritageofthearea.Thisisnottosuggest,asNormanNicholsonputit,thattheNationalParkisapreservedheritagelandscape“smotheredingoodtasteandembalmedinadmiration”.Changehasbeencontinuousoverthe60years.TheAuthority’staskhasverylargelybeenaboutthemanagementofchange.Butithasnotjustbeenaboutmediatingchange;ithasbeenasmuchaboutaccommodatingchange,whetherthroughtheprovisionofcaravansitesandfamilyholidayaccommodation,accessareas,launchingfacilities,information,theeducationservice,interpretation,thefulltimeandvoluntaryrangers,carparks,toiletsandtheLakeDistrictVisitorCentreatBrockhole.InthesewaystheAuthorityanditspredecessorshavecontributedtowardsthesecondnationalparkpurpose:‘promotingopportunitiesfortheenjoymentandunderstandingofthespecialqualitiesoftheareabythepublic’.

Ofcourse,therehavebeenoccasionswhenthepromotionofenjoymenthascomeintoconflictwithpreservingandenhancingthenaturalbeauty.TheAuthority’sapproachhasbeenthatmuchcanbedonebygoodplanningandmanagementtoreconcilesuchconflicts.Thisrecordshowsjusthowoftenreconciliationhasbeenpossibleeveninthemostunpromisingsituations.Butnotalways.JustoccasionallytherehavebeeninstanceswheretheAuthorityhastakentheviewthatreconciliationwouldcomeattoohighapriceand,insuchcases,theAuthorityhasadutytogiveprioritytoconservation.Theuseofmotorboatsonthesmallerlakesandtarnsandfastmotorboatingonthefourlargerlakesareexamples.

Inpursuingthesepurposes,theAuthorityhasalsobeenmindfulofthedutyto‘seektofostertheeconomicandsocialwell-beingoflocalcommunities

Conclusion

49

withintheNationalPark’.Whilethisdutyonlycameintoforcein1997,itwillbeevidentthatsupportingcommunitiesintheParkhasbeenacontinuingconcernfortheAuthorityanditspredecessorssincethebeginning.Althoughnationalparkauthoritiesarenothousingprovidersoreconomicdevelopmentagencies,theAuthorityanditspredecessorshaveattemptedovertheyearstofacilitatebothinanefforttohelpsustainthecommunitiesinthePark.Inparticular,aswillbeclearfromthisaccount,theyhaveattemptedtoaddresstheseriousandincreasingproblemcreatedforlocalcommunitiesbytherisingpercentageofsecondandholidayhomesintheNationalPark.Anditisexpectedthatthenew‘distinctivearea’approachtomuchofitsworkcoupledwiththeGovernment’s‘localism’agendawillprovideopportunitiesforfullerengagementwithlocalcommunities.

MuchofwhattheAuthorityanditspredecessorshavedonehasbeendoneinassociationwithpartnersandthisrecordprovidesanopportunitytoacknowledgethatlittlewouldhavebeenachievedwithoutthem.Someofthem,suchastheNationalTrustandtheFriendsoftheLakeDistrict,haveworkedcloselywiththeNationalParkoverthe60years.TheForestryCommission,too,hasbeenaroundallthistimeand,althoughithasnotalwaysseeneyetoeyewiththeAuthority,particularlywhentimberproductionwasitsfirstpriority,thebroadeningofitsremittoincludeconservationandrecreationhasbeenveryhelpfulinachievingnationalparkpurposes.ThisistruealsoofUnitedUtilitieswhichhastakenoverownershipofthewatercatchmentareasandthereservoirsfromManchesterCorporation.Thelocalauthoritieshavechangedoverthe60yearsand,whiletheiragendashavenotalwaysmarchedtogetherwiththoseoftheNationalParkAuthority,apositiveandproductiveworkingrelationshiphasbeenachieved.Thiswasnotalwaysso.TherehavebeentimesinthepastwhentheNationalParkAuthoritywasregardedbysomeastheholeintheheartofCumbria.Thisisnolongerthecase.TheAuthorityhasworkedhardtobecomeanintegralpartofCumbria.TherecentsubmissiontoGovernmentoftheproposalfortheCumbriaLocalEnterprisePartnershipprovidesanexample.Inthesubmission,BillJefferson,theChairmanoftheAuthority,stressedthattherelevantbodiesinCumbria,includingtheNationalParkAuthority,wereunitedinurgingthatCumbriashouldbeabletoshapeitsowndestinybyformingitsownPartnership.ItispleasingtonotethatthesubmissionwasacceptedbyGovernmentandthattheAuthorityhasaseatonthePartnership.ThereisnodoubtthattheimportanceofworkingwithlocalauthoritiesandwithotherpartnersinachievingnationalparkpurposeshasbecomemoreapparenttotheAuthorityinrecentyears.Ithasbeenfortunateinthesupport,theencouragementandthewillingnesstoworktogetherwhichhasbeenevidentonthepartofmanybodiesandorganisationsoperatingintheLakeDistrict.ThisisreflectedintheestablishmentoftheLakeDistrictNationalParkPartnershipandintheproductionbythePartnershipoftheManagementPlanfortheNationalPark.

Itmightseemthat,withtheaccountofimminentspendingcutsandstafflosses,thefuturelooksgloomyandthereisnodoubtthat,aswithallpublicbodies,thenextfewyearswillbedifficult.TheAuthoritywillbedoinglesswithless.However,theAuthorityhastailoredwhatitcandoinpursuingitspurposestotheresourcesavailableandisconfidentthat,togetherwithitspartners,itwillbe‘fitforpurpose’andcancontinuetohelpinthemanagementofchange.Andtherearemajorchangesaheadwhichwillrequiremanagement:copingwithclimatechange,supportinguplandfarming,facilitatingtheprovisionofaffordablehousing,respondingtodevelopmentsinthenuclearindustryanddealingwiththeeverincreasingvolumeoftraffic.TheAuthoritywillcontinuetoaddressthesechanges

50

withnationalparkpurposesandtheNationalParkVisionverymuchintheforefrontofitsmindwhileatthesametimedoingwhatitcantofostertheeconomicandsocialwell-beingofitscommunities.

ChairmenLake District Planning Board: 1951-1974

1951-57 CharlesRoberts

1957-64 KennethDobell

1964-74 GeraldGriceLake District Special Planning Board: 1974-1997

1974-1977 GeraldGrice

1977-1981 StephenMurray

1981-1986 PeterPhizacklea

1986-1989 TomShelton

1989-1997 SteeleAddisonLake District National Park Authority: 1997-present

1997-1999 SteeleAddison

1999-2002 PeterPhizacklea

2002-2004 MichaelBentley

2004-2008 DavidThornton

2008todate BillJefferson

Chief officers Lake District Planning Board

1951-74 KennethHimsworthLake District Special Planning Board

1974-1977 KennethHimsworth

1978-1985 MichaelTaylor

1985-1998 JohnToothillLake District National Park Authority

1997-1998 JohnToothill

1997-2006 PaulTiplady

2007todate RichardLeafe

51

Acknowledgements

Thefollowingpeoplehavecommentedondraftsofthetext,providedinformationorotherwisehelpedinthepreparationofthishistoryandIampleasedtohavetheopportunitytoacknowledgethis:JimCannon,BobCartwright,MarkDalman,BillJefferson,DaveKing,RichardLeafe,FrankLee,KerryPowell,JohnToothill,RichardWebsterandthestaffintheCommunicationsandLearningteam.

IalsowishtothanktheFriendsoftheLakeDistrictforpermissiontousephotographsintheannualreportsfortheLakeDistrictSpecialPlanningBoardanditspredecessortakenbyGeoffreyBerry,theWestmorlandGazetteforpermissiontousethephotographdepictingvolunteersputtingupabannerrelatingtothe1967footandmouthoutbreakandSheilaRichardsonforpermissiontousesomeofthephotographsofvolunteersinactiontakenfromPutting Something Back.

Additionalphotographsby:CharlieHedleyValCorbettSiHomfrayAndreaHillsDavidBrowneKeswickBID/RobGrangephotographyLDNPA

ThecovershowsaviewofKeswickandDerwentwaterfromLatrigg,todayandasitwasintheearlydaysoftheLakeDistrictNationalPark.

Lake District National Park

Withitsworldrenownedlandscape,theNationalParkisforeveryonetoenjoy,nowandinthefuture.Itwantsaprosperouseconomy,worldclassvisitorexperiencesandvibrantcommunities,tosustainthespectacularlandscape.EveryoneinvolvedinrunningEngland’slargestandmuchlovedNationalParkiscommittedto:• respectingthepast• caringforthepresent• planningforthefuture

LakeDistrictNationalParkAuthorityMurleyMoss,OxenholmeRoadKendal,LA97RLPhone:01539724555Fax:01539740822Minicom:01539792690Email:hq@lakedistrict.gov.ukWebsite:www.lakedistrict.gov.uk

Publicationnumber08/11/LDNPA/250

Printedonrecycledpaper

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