What happens next

Once we have decided which areas are suitable for designation (and drawn their proposed boundaries), we ask the public whether they agree with our proposals. This is the stage that we are currently at in the Lakes to Dales Landscape Designation Project.

We will collect and analyse all responses to the consultation, taking into account the reasons given for the views expressed. This will help to inform Natural England’s decision on whether to continue to work towards designating any of the proposed extensions as a National Park.

We will aim to make a final decision about this in 2010. If Natural England decides to pursue any National Park extensions, a legal document will then be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval, and there will be a further opportunity to make representations directly to the Secretary of State before a final decision is made. A National Park is only created when the Secretary of State confirms the legal document.

The process for this project is set out in Figure 3. You can keep track of progress via this website.

Figure 3 – Stages in the process of designating National Parks

Natural England proposes
National Park extensions

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Consultation on proposals

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Natural England considers consultation responses and decides whether or not to proceed with National Park Designations

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Natural England makes National Park Designation Variation Orders to extend the National Parks

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Natural England submits Orders to the Secretary of State for confirmation

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Opportunity for views to be sent to the Secretary of State

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Secretary of State’s decision (informed by a public inquiry or other hearing, if required)

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If the Secretary of State confirms the Orders, the extension areas become designated as National Park

Sunbiggin Tarn © Natural England & Simon WarnerSunbiggin Tarn © Natural England & Simon Warner