Defra Minister Jonathan Shaw during his Dales visit

A GOVERMENT minister paid a visit to the Yorkshire Dales yesterday (September 11) to see for himself a number of development projects aimed at boosting the local economy.

The MP - Jonathan Shaw, Under Secretary of State at Defra - met Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) officers and Deputy Chairman Harold Brown before being shown round the former quarry at Craven Limeworks where he learned about plans for its re-development.

He then went to nearby Langcliffe Mill in Stainforth Road, Langcliffe, and inspected plans for the building – which include construction of offices and a 46-bedroom hotel – and discussed wider economic development issues in a rural/protected area.

Mr Shaw also sampled the delights of part of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail when he and his hosts and jumped on a mountain bike to ride over to the Gamecock pub in Austwick for lunch.

David Butterworth, the YDNPA’s Chief Executive, said: “It is always useful to get a Government Minister into the National Park. He was interested in a wide variety of issues – the future of hill farming, our response to the issues connected with climate change, affordable housing and, in particular, how to balance the needs of conservation and economic development in a protected area.”