The Campaign for National Parks (CNP) is delighted at this week’s planned launch by Natural England of proposals to expand the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, on the 60th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 which created them.

2009 has been a red-letter year for National Parks – the South Downs joined the family, the environment secretary launched a new climate change plan for Parks and the Parks have made involving local communities in their work a top priority.

CNP’s Ruth Chambers said, ‘What better way of celebrating this special National Parks week than by kicking off the consultation to expand them.

‘This step marks major progress in what CNP and many others have long considered to be unfinished business for the two Parks. Parts of the existing boundaries make little sense in landscape terms, having been drawn under political pressure along former administrative or road boundaries at the time of their original designation in the 1950s. There are some stunning areas immediately abutting both Parks which thoroughly deserve to be given National Park status, for example the Northern Howgills and areas around Mallerstang, Orton and Whinfell. We warmly welcome Natural England’s imminent public consultation on expanding the National Parks.’

Up until now and for various reasons, there have been long delays in taking this important work forward. However, the Government’s green light for the South Downs National Park earlier this year provided the certainty and clarity needed for Natural England to press on with the plans to expand the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales with purpose and priority.

Ruth Chambers concluded, ‘CNP is especially excited that the consultation launch is planned for the very same week which, 60 years ago, saw Royal Assent granted to the Bill which became the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 – the legislation that enabled all of the National Parks of England and Wales to be created. 2009 has been a red-letter year for National Parks and we look forward to new boundaries for the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales being agreed as quickly as possible, so that these areas might enjoy the benefits that National Park status brings’.