MP pushes minister to give local people more say over National Park decisions

On the floor of the House of Commons this morning, local MP Tim Farron once again made the case for the two national parks in Cumbria to be democratised.

Speaking during Cabinet Office Questions, Tim said: "Is the minister aware that voters in my constituency in the Lake District and in the Yorkshire Dales cannot vote at all on issues that affect them regarding planning and housing. What steps will she take to bring in democracy for those parts of our country which are under the aegis of a national park which are not directly elected?"

The minister said she would get one of her other colleagues to respond to Tim.

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: "The decisions that our national parks make have a massive impact on our communities.

"And yet those who make these decisions are not accountable in any way.

"We need to put power back into the hands of local people who these decisions affect by democratising our national parks."