Planning for the future of the Lake District National Park

The Lake District covers 912 square miles, home to England’s deepest lake and highest mountain, and attracts millions of visitors each year. But fewer people now live in the national park year-round, and most of the land around 63 per cent is privately owned.
The Lake District National Park Partnership, made up of 24 member organisations, is reviewing its five-year plan, which sets out how it will respond to the key challenges facing the area. The draft has been developed in meetings not held in public and, so far, agendas and minutes for the last four sessions have not been published.
The partnership is chaired by Dr Celia Caulcott, an independent academic who is encouraging residents, businesses and visitors to take part in the consultation on the new plan.
She told Business Crack that the partnership – which includes organisations ranging from United Utilities to Friends of the Lake District is a voluntary collaboration, and navigating different ambitions and priorities can be difficult. Her role, she said, is to ensure all partners are heard and able to influence decisions.
The current plan runs for one more year, and an annual progress update shows mixed results. While around two-thirds of actions are on or above target, a third are behind schedule or lack data.
Examples of progress include the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme, which has supported 500 farms against a target of 300, and partners exceeding a target to hold 80 per cent of meetings online or in hybrid format. However, woodland creation has fallen far short of its goal, with 63 hectares delivered against 253 expected, and only five farms have received carbon audits from a target of 100.
Transport initiatives have also produced mixed outcomes. EV charge point installation has exceeded targets, but improvements to bus services and new cycle routes have moved more slowly.
The partnership meets in private, something the National Park Authority has previously said encourages open and honest debate. But the lack of published minutes has raised concerns about transparency. Dr Caulcott said the partnership has no legal status and is not required to publish these documents, but acknowledged there must be a balance between providing a “safe space” for discussion and being open with the public.
She also confirmed she would look into why minutes had not been released for six months.
The new draft plan sets nine objectives for the next five years, including improving water quality, supporting nature recovery, reducing carbon emissions, strengthening rural communities, supporting viable farming, protecting the historic environment, encouraging sustainable travel and reducing reliance on private vehicles.
Setting targets has required extensive negotiation between partners. Dr Caulcott said a proposed 77 per cent reduction in carbon emissions, for example, was the result of balancing ambitious aims with what is realistically achievable.
The plan will also need to withstand political change, including the election of Cumbria’s first mayor, who could influence policy decisions. Dr Caulcott said the partnership intends to engage with mayoral candidates and present its preferred direction of travel.
Consultation on the draft plan is under way until the end of January, with roadshows planned at Muncaster Castle, Keswick Tourist Information Centre and the Marchesi Centre in Windermere. Early responses have already seen several hundred comments submitted.
Dr Caulcott said that while individuals may not receive direct feedback on their comments, the final plan will reflect the issues raised. The long-term aim is to develop a vision for managing the Lake District through to 2051.
“This is a big and important piece of work,” she said. “For anyone passionate about the Lake District, contributing to its future should be fundamental.”