Plans to expand the size of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales National Parks are now to go to a public inquiry. Minister for the natural environment Richard Benyon said Natural England's proposals to extend the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District would be examined at a four-week public inquiry in June.
The hearing into the plan, which would increase the park's combined area by 193 square miles, was triggered after five councils lodged objections. Mr Benyon told MPs:
Over 3,000 objections, representations or expressions of support were received in response to the proposals, including objections from five local authorities.It is a statutory requirement that a public inquiry is held if at least one local authority with land in a proposed extension raises an objection to a relevant variation order.
Following the inquiry the inspector will make recommendations to Environment Secretary Owen Paterson who will decide whether to modify, approve, or reject the plans.
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