South Pennines Launches Alternative National Park tourism, transport, heritage and conservation. It offers a new model for how non-designated areas can contribute to the government’s objectives on levelling up and restoring our natural environment and pursues an integrated approach to environmental, social and economic objectives. The idea for the Park was first discussed in the 1940s, and today represents a key milestone in its development. The operating model has been set up by Pennine Prospects, who are working in partnership with local authorities in the park area, as well as Natural England, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, the National Trust, transport providers and other communities and conservation groups.
An alternative National Park - covering 460 square miles of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester - was launched on September 8th 2021.
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outh Pennines Park aims to bolster recognition and unlock financial resources for the only upland in England that is not a designated National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Park founders are establishing a flexible operating blueprint for managing the landscape that gives people a significant voice - a first of its kind in the UK. The South Pennines Park will ensure support for cross boundary working on key projects, like flood protection, 190
LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE
Helen Noble, Chief Executive of Pennine Prospects, which will be also renamed South Pennines Park, says: “The need for a Park was absolutely clear because the South Pennines Park region needs a champion at national level to fight for it, protect it and seek sustainable investment. Over 8 million people live within 30 minutes of the park and more than 660,000 live in it - twice the population of all the English National Park put together. It is an area of stunning scenery; a spectacular ever-evolving landscape that has been moulded and shaped by the people, the packhorses, footsteps of yesteryear; rich in industrial and cultural heritage. “What we are launching is an exciting, bold and forward-thinking vision for one of the UK’s most diverse and unique regions. www.lancmag.com
