The summary information below is relevant to Questions C15 to C21 in the Response Form.

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Context

This area forms the western fringe to the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The fells form a seamless extension of those within the park, sharing many common characteristics. At the base of the Fells is Lunesdale, a tranquil lowland dale which, further north, narrows dramatically to form the Lune Gorge, half of which is in the National Park. The southern fells are a continuation of the typical limestone landscapes of the Three Peaks area and the Central Moors of the National Park while the northern part of the area lies on different rocks, and is similar to the nearby Howgills Fells.

Extent to which the Natural Beauty criterion is met

The fells are undoubtedly of great natural beauty, with similar qualities to the adjacent landscapes of the National Park to be found in their limestone landscapes and wild, open moorlands. The higher slopes and summits allow wide views over the surrounding area, and provide an experience of relative wildness, with the elevation, steep terrain, and semi-natural vegetation all contributing to a sense of openness and exposure, and tranquillity. There are also attractive contrasts between the imposing, open fell landscape, the irregular pattern of wall- or hedge-enclosed fields of the fringing farmland, and the narrow, wooded gills on the lower slopes of the fells as they descend into Lunesdale.

Limestone features, including the most extensive cave system in the UK, are important in the south. On the western lower fringes, the open fell extends into farmland, with attractive and historic settlements at the foot of the fells contributing to the overall sense of place. On these lower slopes and within Lunesdale there are also designed parklands (Underley and Rigmanden) and estate landscapes. Together with their associated historic features and archaeological sites, these provide a sense of history and time depth in the landscape, as well as a welcome contrast with the wilder landscapes of the higher fells to the east. The floodplain of the Lune between Kirkby Lonsdale and Sedbergh is flanked to the west by low fells which drop steeply towards the river, and comprises a gently undulating floodplain of meadows, farmland, parkland and estate woodlands which create a lush and well managed landscape.

Lunesdale is tranquil and has high scenic value with its lowland valley landscape and its many trees acting as a foil to the wilder fells to the east. Around Kirkby Lonsdale the views from Lunesdale to the surrounding fells are particularly appealing. The celebrated view painted by Turner and described by Ruskin by the church in Kirkby Lonsdale has a foreground of the island in the middle of the Lune, the river and the floodplain farmland and enclosing estate woodlands of Casterton and Underley Halls. South of the town, a belt of limestone passes through the area and is revealed in the rocks that outcrop on the river banks and riverbed under the ancient Devil’s Bridge, as well as in the appearance of stone walls, adding visual and natural heritage interest.

In the far north Lunesdale narrows to form the Lune Gorge. The Gorge is flanked by steep-sided fells – the Howgill Fells within the Yorkshire Dales National Park to the east and Firbank Fell, outside of the National Park to the west. The eastern side of Firbank Fell forms a distinctive and sometimes knobbly skyline, with small patches of open moorland and an intact pattern of small-scale field boundaries defined by a mixture of stone walls and hedges. This landscape is in good condition and the eastern slopes of Firbank Fell offer striking views across the Lune to the Howgill Fells. Tree-lined, incised becks drop into the Gorge and the dispersed pattern of farms as well as other historic built features such as Lowgill Viaduct, Crook of Lune Bridge and Fox’s Pulpit add to the overall high scenic quality and cultural heritage interest of the area.

Extent to which the Opportunities for Recreation criterion is met

Killington Hall © Natural England & Simon Warner

The fells are especially valuable for recreation, particularly because all the moorland is open access land, providing excellent opportunities for people to enjoy the natural beauty of the area, including the sense of wildness and tranquillity that it offers. Strenuous walks to the high ridges offer memorable panoramas towards the Howgill Fells, the peaks of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Forest of Bowland, the Lake District fells and Morecambe Bay. There is also good access by road and on foot for cavers wishing to explore the caverns. The whole area is easily accessible to large numbers of people via the M6 and main trunk roads.

In contrast the main recreational appeal of Lunesdale is the low-lying, sheltered environment that it offers, which combined with the fells can provide varied recreational experiences. There is a good mix of footpaths and bridleways, although limited access along the river itself, except close to Kirkby Lonsdale. Lunesdale is quiet and relatively undisturbed rather than wild. Its small country lanes and rights of way offer the chance to enjoy this varied landscape with its views and cultural and natural interest. There are facilities for quiet activities including cycling, walking and horse riding. Devil’s Bridge is a key destination for many visitors and the area is easily accessible from the M6, the A65 and Kirkby Lonsdale. Firbank Fell offers exceptional views and is linked by footpaths to the Lune Gorge. There is little access along the river however, or across to the Howgill Fells, and only a relatively small extent of open access land. The area features in several circular and longer-distance routes from Sedbergh.

Potential recreation opportunities include improved access along the River Lune, improved interpretation of the river, its cultural links, and views of the fells, and development of cycle routes within the valley and between Kirkby Lonsdale, Sedbergh and beyond.

Desirability to designate

 Barbondale © Natural England & Simon Warner

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

Significance

The characteristic and distinctive landscape features of Barbon, Middleton and Leck Fells clearly reflect the limestone moors and the central moorland landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with which the area has clear continuity. It has some remarkable natural heritage features, in particular the extensive cave system (the largest in Britain). Pavements, cliffs, screes, potholes and gorges associated with the Carboniferous Limestone underlying the southern part of the area, support a range of rare and uncommon plants.

This is a culturally significant landscape. The eastern half of Firbank Fell and the Lower Lune Valley are strongly linked by dramatic views across the valley of the Lune towards to Barbon, Middleton and Leck Fells and to the Howgill Fells. These views (also from Kirkby Lonsdale) have long been recognised and celebrated by writers and artists. Fox’s pulpit on Firbank Fell is a key site in the development of the Quaker movement. The area has a number of important designed landscapes including Rigmaden Park, Underley Park, Fairthwaite Park, High Park, Whelprigg Park and the many halls associated with these estates contribute to the natural beauty of the area. The history of the landscape is also evident in the intact field patterns, and it has some significant archaeology (eg. at the foot of Leck and Casterton Fells).

Much of the area has been recognised as being worthy of national recognition for over 60 years.

Issues affecting its special qualities

Due to its high scenic and landscape quality, its tranquillity and important views, this area is sensitive to major or large scale development. There is potential for restoration of some areas of heather moorland to create greater wildlife diversity, if heavy grazing pressure can be addressed. The area also includes one of the richest and least studied archaeological landscapes in Cumbria, with scheduled monuments, but also large areas of undesignated archaeology which are potentially of national importance.

Leck Fell is particularly important for caving and potholing, and it has extensive areas of access land. Pro-active management and high quality interpretation would benefit these activities, and encourage recreational users to take account of the area’s special qualities, land management and sporting interests’ needs. The area could provide opportunities for road cycling both at local level and as part of longer distance circuits. There could be more interpretation of natural heritage in the area, particularly of the River Lune, and access to the river is currently limited.

This landscape has strong cultural links with the 19th Century ‘Picturesque’ movement, and there is much scope to promote understanding and enjoyment of this special cultural quality. Although landscape quality is high generally, there is pressure on the existing historic field patterns and boundaries, hedgerows and designed landscape features. Improved management of river banks and reduced diffuse pollution of the river from agricultural sources would be beneficial.

Firbank Fell from High Holme © Natural England & Simon Warner

Delivering purposes of designation

Geographically, the area is directly adjacent to the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Including this area in the Yorkshire Dales National Park would allow many of the issues highlighted above to be fully addressed. It would enable the integrated and dedicated pursuit of conservation and enhancement of the area’s acknowledged natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage. More significantly, there would be a dedicated purpose and additional resources, to manage the open-air recreation in the area, and to provide more substantial interpretation of its special qualities. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has significant experience in similar landscapes including limestone landscapes, caves and major river valleys. They are in a good position to work constructively with the potentially conflicting sporting and other recreation interests.

This extension is largely in South Lakeland District which already has land in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Leck Fell is within the boundaries of Lancaster City and in the county of Lancashire, neither of which currently have land in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The inclusion of this area would mean that the membership of the National Park Authority would have to be adjusted.

The proposed boundary

The boundary includes the very high quality landscapes from the existing National Park boundary to, and including Lunesdale. Where views across the Lune are lost towards the west, the boundary is drawn within this transition area to follow a road across Firbank Fell. Further south, the boundary follows field boundaries and in places is convoluted – more straightforward boundaries would have excluded high quality areas. It does not include the western part of the low fells west of Lunesdale because we consider that here, the natural beauty criterion is no longer met.

To the south, the boundary is drawn along the settlement edge of Kirkby Lonsdale and the A65 road to the existing National Park boundary (skirting around Cowan Bridge). Kirkby Lonsdale is excluded despite the fact that it is an exceptional, compact historic town. Although it is in a high quality setting, the town would nevertheless be very near the edge of the National Park. Given the town’s size, including it is not considered desirable in the context of this proposed National Park extension.

Lunesdale © Natural England & Simon Warner