‘Drop-in’ events are to be held in Orton and Barbon so that people in these areas can have their first say on the future of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The idea is to hear what people love about the National Park, how it could be improved, and the three most important issues to tackle.
The drop-in sessions will take place in Orton Market Hall on Tuesday 13 June, from 4-8pm, and in Barbon Village Hall on Tuesday 20 June, from 4-8pm. Officers and members from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) will be at both events. Tea and cake will be served.
All the opinions and information gathered will be used to help update the National Park Management Plan for the period 2018-2023. The Plan is the most important document for influencing what happens in the National Park. It sets out a long-term ‘vision’ for the Park and a list of specific objectives to be achieved.
The events have been arranged by the YDNPA on behalf of the National Park Management Plan steering group, made up of representatives from 13 public, private and voluntary sector organisations.
The YDNPA chairman, Carl Lis, said it was important that drop-in sessions were held in areas which became part of the National Park only in August last year:
“We are really keen to hear the views of residents in the new area of the National Park. Tell us what you think should be happening to make the Park a better place.”
The events are part of an extensive, six-week consultation on the National Park Management Plan, which closes on 3 July. There is a range of ways for anyone to respond:
- The online questionnaire at your.yorkshiredales.org.uk
- Email [email protected]
- By postcard response (available at National Park Centres, Authority offices, Tourist Information Centres and other outlets)
- On social media using #yourdales
The 13 partner organisations carrying out the consultation represent landowners, business, local councils and government agencies. They are:
- Craven District Council
- Dales Farmer Network
- Dales Rural Estates Network
- Dales Tourism Business
- Eden District Council
- Environment Agency
- Forestry Commission
- Lancaster City Council
- Natural England
- Richmondshire District Council
- South Lakeland District Council
- Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust
- Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
There is a statutory duty to review the Management Plan every five years. The current plan runs until 2018: http://www.yorkshiredalesmanagementplan.org.uk/
