The 2030 vision
A prosperous economy
Businesses will locate in the National Park because they value the quality of opportunity, environment and lifestyle it offers – many will draw on a strong connection to the landscape. Entrepreneurial spirit will be nurtured across all sectors and traditional industries maintained to ensure a diverse economy.
Vibrant communities
People successfully living, working and relaxing within upland, valley and lakeside places where distinctive local character is maintained and celebrated.
World class visitor experience
High quality and unique experiences for visitors within a stunning and globally significant landscape. Experiences that compete with the best in the international market.
Spectacular landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage
A landscape which provides an irreplaceable source of inspiration, whose benefits to people and wildlife are valued and improved. A landscape whose natural and cultural resources are assets to be managed and used wisely for future generations.
Who is going to make it happen?
Local people, visitors, and the many organisations working in the National Park, or have a contribution to make to it, must be united in achieving this.
The Lake District National Park Partnership developed and agreed the vision – and it is a key force for action.
We nurture the Lake District, our teams and where we work, respectfully managing the Lake District National Park on behalf of those who live, work or visit here.
Our Statutory Purposes
The National Park has two statutory purposes:
- To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Lake District National Park; and
- To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park by the public.
It also has a duty in pursuing those purposes:
- To seek to foster the economic and social wellbeing of local communities within the National Park by working closely with the agencies and local authorities responsible for these matters, but without incurring significant expenditure.
Sandford Principle
Section 11A (1A) of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 states that “in exercising or performing any functions in relation to, or so as to affect, land in any National Park in England, a relevant authority… must seek to further the purposes… and if it appears that there is a conflict between those purposes, must attach greater weight to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area comprised in the National Park”.
This is known as the ‘Sandford Principle’ and stems from the Sandford Committee’s recommendation, in 1974, that enjoyment of the National Parks ‘shall be in a manner and by such means as will leave their natural beauty unimpaired for the enjoyment of this and future generations’.
