Save the Yorkshire Dales National Park

[raveydavey]

Word reaches me that dastardly plans may be afoot to drop the "Yorkshire" name from the Yorkshire Dales National Park...http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... an.htmlNew 'War of the Roses' over Yorkshire Dales expansion planPlans to expand the Yorkshire Dales to include parts of Lancashire have sparked a new 'War of the Roses' amid claims from councillors that the move could harm the white rose county. Natural England announced in December last year that a consultation process was beginning on whether a series of new areas, mainly in Lancashire and Cumbria, should be added to the national park. But John Blackie, a county councillor who sits on the national park authority, is concerned about the consequences of the proposals. Rivalry between Yorkshire and Lancashire has simmered ever since the houses of Lancaster and York clashed for the throne of England during the 15th-century Wars of the Roses. Mr Blackie has written to parish councils warning them the proposed expansion could threaten the name of the park, which currently covers 680 square miles mostly in North Yorkshire but also taking in small area of South East Cumbria. Mr Blackie, who represents North Yorkshire County Council on the national park authority, has launched a campaign to drum up grassroots support to preserve the Yorkshire Dales. ''We have an iconic brand in the Yorkshire Dales. It is internationally known as the Yorkshire Dales. It is as Yorkshire as Whitby fish and chips, Wensleydale cheese and Leeds United. ''There must be some geographic anchor if we are to keep the Yorkshire Dales special - the scenery is iconic and is the very definition of what Yorkshire is about. ''If we do not protect the name and identity, then we are doing the people of Yorkshire a great disservice.'' ''I have already received a huge response about this. People want to keep the word Yorkshire in the Yorkshire Dales. Mr Blackie has also raised concerns that local democracy will be undermined as members representing Yorkshire Dales communities could be replaced by councillors from local authorities in Lancashire and Cumbria. Confirmation of any new boundaries would then be subject to approval by the Environment Secretary and there could be a public inquiry. Living in Leeds, we are lucky enough to have the Yorkshire Dales National park on our doorstep to provide a wonderful escape from city life. I cannot honestly belive some faceless bureaucrat can even consider changing it's name to accomodate an expansion further west.