Partnership works to make Lake District ‘inspirational example of sustainable development in action’

The Lake District National Park Partnership (LDNPP) is continuing to work together to make the Lake District an inspirational example of sustainable development in action.

The LDNPP’s annual report 2023/24 showcases the work the partnership, which is made up of 22 organisations, has done to improve and protect the National Park.

These include understanding the amount of renewable energy generated, encouraging more environmentally-friendly travel and transport and creating more accessible routes across the region including the opening of a new accessible trail at Whinlatter Forest and a range of peak season shuttle transport including the Ullswater hopper bus.

The LDNPP plan covers key areas of focus on: climate action; farming, forestry, nature recovery and climate change; a Lake District for everyone; sustainable travel and transport; vibrant communities and a prosperous economy, and the English Lake District World Heritage Site.

The partnership’s vision is to make the Lake District “a place where its prosperous economy, world class visitor experiences and vibrant communities come together to sustain the spectacular landscape, its wildlife and cultural heritage.”

Its annual report 2023/24 highlights:

• Electric vehicle charging points in the Lake District have increased from 32 in 2020 up to 80 in 2024.
• The total energy used in the Lake District National Park in 2023 was 983,840 mega-watt hours (MWh) with 24 percent (234,453 MWh) coming from renewable sources
• National survey of 1000 people by ACTion with Communities in Cumbria finds 81 percent of people would be willing to travel without their car on holiday
• 46 percent said they were concerned about the impact of their travel choices on the environment.

In addition, there has also been improved connectivity across the region, with broadband gigabit coverage across the Lake District increasing from 2,775 premises in 2023 to 8,291 in 2024.

Troutbeck Camping Pods said the improved connectivity has helped them manage their website, handle online enquiries and manage a social media presence.

Owners Pip Simpson and Hannah Towers said: “The improved service has also benefitted our farming business; we can now work BACs [payments] with confidence, notify BCMS (British Cattle Movement Service) of cattle movements and register new stock using an online cattle passport system, and carry out a host of other administrative functions.

“The benefits of our improved service are huge, it has made such a difference to our lives.”

Celia Caulcott, Chair of Lake District National Park Partnership.

Chair of LDNPP, Celia Caulcott, said: “I am proud of our great progress in delivering so many areas of our partnership plan. This would simply not be achievable without the support of our 22 partner organisations, as well as our very many delivery partners and the engaged communities with whom we work.

“As ever there is plenty more to do. I look forward to continuing to work with our partners towards our shared vision of a Lake District that will be an inspirational example of sustainable development in action.”

You can find out more information about LDNPP and the organisations who make up the partnership, here: https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/caringfor/lake-district-national-park-partnership.

Read the full LDNPP annual report 2023-24 here: https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/caringfor/lake-district-national-park-partnership/partnership-annual-report-2023-24