[3.05.01] We want to conserve and enhance the extraordinary beauty and harmony of the Lake District landscape, and Special Qualities and its attributes of Outstanding Universal Value for future generations to enjoy.
To increase the resilience of the Lake District to all types of flood events, including river, surface water and coastal flooding.
[3.05.02] The Lake District is one of the world’s finest cultural landscapes. The spectacular landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Lake District is unique – and of such quality and universal value – that it entirely underpins how the area functions economically, socially and environmentally.
[3.05.03] The diversity of the landscape is key to its beauty and significance, and includes coast, lakes, distinctive farmland, fell, woodland, industrial activity and settlement. Each of the Lake District’s valleys has an individual distinctiveness based on landform, biodiversity and cultural heritage.
[3.05.04] Tranquillity is a quality of calm that people experience in places full of sights and sounds of nature, and National Parks are viewed as one of the best places to gain this experience. Tranquillity can be damaged by the intrusive sights and sounds of man-made structures such as new roads, poorly designed lighting and power lines.
[3.04.02] The Lake District has an impressive extent of international, national, and locally designated areas – from Ramsar’s, Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation to County Wildlife sites and Local Geological Sites.
[3.04.03] Biodiversity includes all species of animals and plants. The Lake District is represented by a rich array of plant and animal species found in habitats and ecosystems which reflect the influence of geology, climate, and human activity that has developed since the end of the last ice age about 10,000 years ago. There is known decline in biodiversity across the country. This trend is reflected locally by 77 per cent of the area of Lake District sites that are protected for their biodiversity (SACs, SPAs and SSSI) being categorised as in ‘unfavourable condition’ status. The risk to biodiversity is not confined to protected sites, and any decline poses risks not just to species and habitats but also to a variety of benefits that Lake District ecosystems provides. These include clean water and air, high quality food, wood products and carbon storage, and recreation and spiritual refreshment. To help redress the decline and in line with government intentions, biodiversity net gain should be achieved when granting planning permission.
