Farron demands Defra lets residents know about national park boundaries

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has said local residents deserve to know what will happen with any proposed extensions to the National Park boundaries in Cumbria and should not have to put up with being left in limbo.

Tim said the lack of a decision from Government is affecting people's homes, property prices and planning issues within the area affected. Tim has tabled a parliamentary question to try and force the issue. He has also asked for a parliamentary debate on the long running saga.

Back in 2011, Natural England, the public body responsible for conserving and enhancing the natural environment in England, proposed that some of the area between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks should be designated as national park and joined to one or the other.

Usually, the Secretary of State then decides whether to confirm the proposal (or not) and may also make modifications to the proposal, most typically on receipt of the Inspector's Report from a public inquiry. This decision has not happened yet and people have had to wait for years in limbo.

A public inquiry was required after five local authorities objected. At the time, Cumbria, Lancashire and North Yorkshire County Councils and Eden and Richmondshire District Councils all raised objections to the plans.

Following the inquiry's conclusion, an inspector should have made a recommendation to the Secretary of State at DEFRA, who would then make the final decision. Campaigners believe this recommendation has languished in an in-tray at DEFRA waiting for action.

Tim said: "Local residents have had to wait for years in limbo. This is not good enough. The Government have had years to decide what to do. This decision has a massive impact on things like planning rules, job creation, house prices and a host of environmental issues too. People deserve to know the outcome and I will keep pressing ministers until they announce their decision."