The summary information below is relevant to Questions C8 to C14 in the Response Form.

Context

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Geographically, this area is directly adjacent to the Lake District National Park and comprises a limestone ridge (Helsington Barrows) and a wide valley (Lyth Valley) which are both already partly within the National Park. The Helsington Barrows to Sizergh Fell area forms a prominent north – south limestone ridge which is one of three on the southern edge of the Lakes.

Extent to which the Natural Beauty criterion is met

The area has great natural beauty. It is of high landscape and scenic quality with interesting limestone features and a strong and distinctive sense of place. Along the ridge, this derives from the scars and screes, dry valleys and expanses of species-rich limestone grassland as well as juniper scrub. Ancient woodland clings to the steep rocky west facing escarpment and a mix of woodland and parkland provides a contrasting experience to the south and east. Long distance panoramic views can be obtained of the Lake District fells and the sea at Morecambe Bay. From the western edge, there are views across the low-lying mosslands of the Lyth Valley to the parallel and similar ridge of Whitbarrow, within the National Park. The pattern of fields and ditches in the valley are a striking contrast to that of the limestone ridges.

The Helsington Barrows and Sizergh Fell ridge is a key feature in views into the area and forms part of the southern gateway to the Lakes. The openness, rough ground, stunted vegetation, long distance views and an expansive and elevated character all contribute to a landscape that seems wild in places despite its small area. The dense woodland on the western escarpment, with its rocky outcrops and old coppice stools as well as visible archaeological and historic features is also of great interest, with a strong sense of history.

Extent to which the Opportunities for Recreation criterion is met

Although relatively small, the area is of high value for recreation. It contains a large proportion of well used open access land, common land and National Trust land and a good rights of way network. All of these provide easy ways to reach relatively elevated areas with spectacular panoramic views and opportunities to enjoy an interesting and rare limestone landscape.

To the south, Sizergh Castle gives access to high quality low fell and woodland walking experiences in the surrounding parkland. This National Trust property also provides visitor facilities and education and outreach work. The area is excellent for cycling, with many quiet roads and the Walney to Wear national cycle route. The National Trust is seeking to provide more off-road routes on its estate. It also provides some bridleways for horse riding. The area is easily accessible by public transport from Kendal, making it an ideal recreation destination for people without a car and those who are physically less mobile.

 Gardens at Sizergh Castle © Natural England & Simon Warner

Desirability to designate

We consider it is desirable to designate this area as National Park. It should be included as an extension to the Lake District National Park for the reasons outlined below.

Significance

The Helsington to Sizergh ridge is the third in a row of limestone ridges which form part of the southern gateway to the Cumbrian Low and High Fells. There is a clear and strong continuity with the Lake District National Park. The area has a great natural heritage resource due to its rich limestone grassland, parkland, ancient woodland at Brigsteer Park and the improving wetlands in the Lyth Valley.

Sizergh Castle is an exceptional historic landscape feature, making a strong contribution to the natural beauty of the area. The opportunities for open-air recreation in this area are low-key but of extremely high quality and very popular. They offer contrasts between tranquil parkland and wild karst scenery within a single walk. There are particular opportunities for improving understanding and enjoyment in the Lyth Valley. The Helsington Barrows to Sizergh ridge is already well promoted, with parts of it managed by the National Trust.

Issues affecting its special qualities

This area is very sensitive to further urban, road or large-scale development, which would adversely affect its landscape quality and tranquillity. A key issue affecting landscape quality locally is the condition of the Lyth Valley. A large-scale restoration project is now in place through Wetland Vision, which is likely to deliver substantial improvements to the landscape and the functioning of the valley as a wetland, through the work of conservation organisations and with support from agri-environment schemes.

The limestone grasslands on the main ridge require, (and in places already have) appropriate grazing and management of recreational use to fully benefit nature conservation. In addition, some archaeological features are under pressure, and there are further opportunities for historic landscape interpretation. The area would benefit from enhanced management, signage and waymarking, particularly for the mountain biking circuit from Kendal.

Most of this proposed extension has long been recognised as being worthy of national recognition. Substantial parts of the area are clearly of national significance, and while the Lyth Valley in its own right does not sufficiently meet the designation criteria currently, it forms an important part of the landscape between the Helsington to Sizergh ridge and the current National Park. It provides a strong visual contrast with the bordering limestone uplands.

Delivering purposes of designation

Helsington Barrows from Sizergh Fell with Kentmere fells in the background © Natural England & Simon Warner

Geographically, the area is directly adjacent to the Lake District National Park. The National Park Authority already carries out management work on neighbouring Scout Scar, and their expertise is directly transferrable to other limestone grasslands on the Helsington to Sizergh ridge. Including this area in the Lake District National Park would ensure more consistent forward planning and decision making in this key gateway to the Park. It would also be highly likely to lead to conservation and enhancement of natural beauty across the area and to greater understanding of its natural environment and cultural heritage owing to specific funding to deliver National Park purposes. The National Park Authority would be able to contribute additional expertise and resources to support land managers through the changes that are occurring in the Lyth Valley, and considerably improve the opportunities available for understanding its special qualities through interpretation. A substantial area of land in this proposed extension is already owned for public benefit by the National Trust.

This extension is in South Lakeland District, which already has land in the Lake District National Park.

The proposed boundary

The areas surrounding the high quality landscapes between Helsington and Sizergh Fell gradually decrease in quality and a boundary has been chosen within these areas of transition. To the south, the boundary has been drawn to include Sizergh Fell. To the west, a part of the Lyth Valley has been included where the landscape is dominated by the two limestone ridges. Here we consider that the valley sits within a wider landscape which meets the designation criteria (ie. the National Park landscape ‘washes over’ it).

Settlements at the edge: Levens and Cotes are excluded as they do not sit fully within the high quality landscapes being proposed for designation.

Although the area around Levens Park is of great significance, we do not consider it desirable to include it in the National Park. In order to include the relatively small area of Levens Park a much larger intervening area of lower quality and fragmented land would have to be included.

 Lyth Valley and Whitbarrow from Sizergh Fell © Teresa Morris