Lake District in running for share of £50m pot

Twelve different projects which all incorporate a vision of bringing ‘systemic’ change to heritage in the UK have been shortlisted for the Heritage Horizon Awards.

Charity The Lake District Foundation (LDF), on behalf of the cross-sector Lake District National Park Partnership, is one of the organisations which will be putting forward a development proposal.

Sarah Swindley, LDF chief executive, described it as an “incredible opportunity”.

“We look forward to working with partners, communities and visitors who share a love for this place,” she said.

“We think by working together in new ways we can do something truly transformational.”

LDF’s project, entitled ‘Nature, World Heritage and Farming in the Lake District’, focuses on three interconnected areas:

-"Nature recovery and climate resilience", delivering “farmer and community-led” nature recovery, providing “bigger, better and more joined-up” habitats, increasing climate change-resilience and storing more carbon

-"Securing and future-proofing” the Lake District’s farming heritage

-"Engaging a new generation” with LDF’s work and with the Lake District

Steve Tonkin, LDF digital lead, said the charity would be applying for £15m to finance its proposals but stressed it was a long process. The National Lottery Heritage Fund will award money to around half the shortlisted projects in early 2021.

Richard Leafe, chief executive of the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “This funding would give a substantial boost to improving nature in the national park and help secure a future for farming.

“While the Lake District may be beautiful, we know that its biodiversity has been in decline for some time. We are looking forward to using this opportunity to work with communities and farmers to build on our cultural heritage and deliver a rich, diverse natural environment for future generations to enjoy.”