The summary information below is relevant to Questions C29 to C37 in the Response Form.

Context

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This landscape comprises an upland limestone core area surrounded by a fringe of rolling farmland. The upland area includes striking expanses of limestone pavement and rocky scars, and an interesting and diverse moorland vegetation mosaic – particularly from Crosby Ravensworth to Ash Fell. From this area there are extensive panoramic views to the Lake District, Howgill Fells and Mallerstang as well as north/east to the Pennines.

Extent to which the Natural Beauty criterion is met

The Orton Fells are a distinctive tract of limestone upland and farmland. The limestone geology is a major contributor to the significant natural beauty of the area. The limestone rocks are exposed in rugged scars and pavements as well as used in the construction of walls and buildings, and create a very strong sense of place. The upland core has expanses of important limestone pavement and an interesting and colourful vegetation mosaic of heather, moorland and herb-rich grassland, with unusual plants in the limestone fissures. The area is very important for its natural heritage features.

From the higher areas there are outstanding and memorable views to the Lake District, the Howgill Fells, Yorkshire Dales and the Pennines. These views to undeveloped skyline ridges contribute to a strong sense of relative wildness. In contrast with the upland core, the fell fringes and the enclosed and settled farmland valleys run north-eastwards to the Vale of Eden offering a quite different experience. The smaller–scale, enclosed gill valleys have a tranquil isolated character with patches of broadleaved woodland and mature trees contrasting with the fields. The historic character of the Orton Fells is also very clear within the landscape. Intact limestone villages, striking medieval field patterns and numerous archaeological features including lime kilns, all create a sense of history. The area has associations with Andy Goldsworthy and Lady Ann Clifford.

 Limestone Pavement at Great Asby Scar © Natural England & Simon Warner

Extent to which the Opportunities for Recreation criterion is met

In terms of recreation, the Orton Fells contain some large areas of open access land and a good network of rights of way which together provide a very accessible, high quality experience of low fell landscapes. A strong sense of relative wildness and tranquillity, open panoramic views and local features of interest can all be enjoyed in this area, which is also highly accessible from the nearby main roads, M6 and the network of winding lanes.

The area offers relatively straightforward access to valued limestone pavements (for instance at Great Asby National Nature Reserve) and to the spectacular Smardale Gill National Nature Reserve with its limestone grasslands, woodlands and fascinating history. There are a number of very characteristic, attractive and intact limestone villages which offer good facilities for recreation and the opportunity to promote recreation in the area in a sustainable way.

The area is crossed by Wainwright’s popular ‘Coast to Coast Walk’ and as a whole offers a real alternative to the more challenging landscapes of the high fells of the nearby upland areas. Recreation opportunities include walking, cycling and horse riding. Potential for recreation also exists – the approved route of the Pennine Bridleway will pass through the area.

Desirability to Designate

Particular attention has been given to whether it is desirable to consider the Orton Fells for designation as either National Park or as an AONB – as this option has been proposed previously. We have concluded that it is desirable to designate this area as National Park for the reasons outlined below. We have not yet, however, been able to recommend whether this should be as part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park or the Lake District National Park.

Significance

This area is the core of the Orton Fells Character Area and is strongly representative of limestone landscapes including rare and valued karst. It is part of a band of carboniferous limestone which is represented in both the Lake District National Park and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The area has many exceptional panoramic view points and is particularly significant because of the focal point it occupies between major ranges including the Pennines, Mallerstang, Howgill Fells, Wild Boar Fell and the eastern fells of the Lake District. There is a profound sense of tranquillity and relative wildness. The area’s natural heritage is extremely valuable and varied, with many protected sites. It includes one of the largest areas of limestone pavement in the UK, with associated rare species, one of the last remaining areas of upland heath in Cumbria, rich hay meadows with characteristic northern composition, and a rare marl lake on limestone.

The cultural heritage of the Orton Fells is highly significant, much of it visible in the landscape and clearly reflecting the underlying limestone geology. This is particularly evident in the intact limestone villages and historic field boundaries. The fellside above Smardale has one of the most remarkable sets of archaeological remains in Britain. A number of regionally significant recreation routes coincide in the Orton Fells, the popular Coast to Coast Walk crosses them and they provide an extremely high quality open-air recreational experience.

The area has been recognised as worthy of national recognition for over 60 years.

Orton Village © Natural England & Simon Warner

Issues affecting its special qualities

The scenic quality, natural and cultural heritage features of the upland core of this area and its western edge are very sensitive to large-scale or major development. Locally, condition of landscape features would benefit from being addressed. Much of the area is common land. This would benefit from pro-active management of the grazing regime to benefit nature conservation, though the needs of commoners, the impact on the landscape and for open access would have to be considered too. The historic fabric of the landscape (eg. archaeological earthworks, walls, lime kilns, buildings) would benefit from greater resources, interpretation and a strategic overview.

The recreation resource draws on the large areas of access land on extensive commons, the natural heritage of the area, and on long distance routes. There is great potential for more concerted promotion and interpretation of the area’s special qualities, with special regard required to manage recreation in order to avoid adversely affecting these qualities. The closure of the East Cumbria Countryside Project in March 2009 leaves the area with no strategic management, although Friends of the Lake District and the Cumbria Wildlife Trust manage some key sites in the Orton Fells.

Delivering purposes of designation

Particular attention was given to whether it is desirable to consider the Orton Fells for designation as either National Park or as an AONB.

There are clear needs for conservation and enhancement of its landscape, a particular need in relation to cultural heritage and some challenges for nature conservation. If the area is designated as either National Park or AONB, there are likely to be substantial benefits for conservation and enhancement of natural beauty across the whole of this area and greater prominence would be given to the Orton Fells’ special qualities. Due to its greater financial and staff resources, and ability to call on a range of specialist staff, and because it is a planning authority in its own right (unlike AONBs), Natural England believes that a National Park is better placed to address the conservation and enhancement of the Orton Fells’ natural beauty, wildlife and in particular, its cultural heritage.

The opportunities for promoting understanding and enjoyment of the area’s special qualities could be addressed to a limited extent by an AONB through the increased focus on the area that AONB designation would bring. However, National Park designation would ensure that ‘understanding and enjoyment’ is embedded as a core purpose in the area, which is not the case in AONBs, and that strategic planning, dedicated staff and additional resources are available to pursue this purpose. Natural England believes that a National Park is better placed to promote understanding and enjoyment of the Orton Fells.

In view of the significance of the area and because it raises such a wide range of issues that would benefit from strategic planning and management, designation as National Park is considered a more appropriate designation than designation as an AONB.

Geographically, the Orton Fells are located between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. National Park purposes could be delivered equally effectively by either of the two National Parks and both are capable of adding considerable value to the area. Purely in terms of drawing an appropriate boundary, it is easier to demonstrate the area’s contiguity with the Yorkshire Dales than is the case with the Lake District.

In each case when considering the National Parks as a whole, we consider that the Orton Fells form an extensive tract. More importantly, this fairly technical concern would not in practice affect the ability of either National Park Authority to manage this area.

We have given careful consideration to this issue and are of the view that it is currently not possible to say with confidence which National Park is the most appropriate management authority for the area. We are of the view that public consultation will assist greatly in highlighting further factors that Natural England could take into account when making this decision.

The Orton Fells are entirely in Eden District. The Lake District National Park already includes land from Eden District; and the Yorkshire Dales National Park would in any event include land from Eden District if the proposed Northern Extension of the Yorkshire Dales incorporates the northern Howgill Fells, Mallerstang and Wild Boar Fell.

The Proposed Boundary

There are two proposed boundary alternatives for the Orton Fells – an extension to the Lake District National Park and an extension to the Yorkshire Dales National Park. We have given careful consideration to this issue and are of the view that it is currently not possible to say with confidence which National Park is the most appropriate management authority for the area. Again, we are of the view that the public consultation will assist greatly in highlighting further factors that Natural England could take into account when making this decision. Two parts of this boundary would be the same regardless of which option is chosen. The first part begins where the Yorkshire Dales National Park and North Pennine AONB boundaries meet. It follows the AONB boundary, excludes Kirkby Stephen and follows disused railway lines and roads north west through an area of transition between the central Orton Fells and dry valleys on the one hand, and the settled Eden Valley on the other. To the north, the area is also affected by forestry plantations, and the boundary is drawn to exclude much of these, towards Hardendale Quarry.

The second part is between Orton and Tebay and takes account of the considerable amount of transport infrastructure, a motorway junction and industrial development which all affect the quality of the landscape around Tebay.

If the Orton Fells were included in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the proposed alternative western boundary takes account of the topography and the impact of the M6 transport corridor on the landscape. It follows a Roman Road for much of the way.

If the Orton Fells were included in the Lake District National Park, it would be necessary to identify a connection to the proposed western extension that can be justified for designation. The proposed alternative boundary includes a substantial area of land that has been assessed as not meeting the designation criteria and to be included, the designation must be capable of ‘washing over’ this landscape. The ‘wash-over’ area on the one hand comprises a continuation of the topography of Crosby Ravensworth Fell and slopes gently across the M6 corridor as a single slope westwards; on the other hand, it is affected by the M6 carriageways, development and railway line – all of which undermine scenic quality, intactness of the landscape and the recreation experience.

Little Kinmond © Natural England & Simon Warner