Tim Farron and Lake District National Park ask for renewal of car park measure

Last year the Government extended permitted development rights, which allowed landowners to use their land as temporary car parks or camping sites for 56 days, rather than the usual 28 days.

However, the Government has decided not to extend the rights this year, which has caused concern for the area’s MP and the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), who say the extension was ‘hugely helpful’ in reducing pressure on the county’s roads and established car parks.

It comes as the county braces for what is expected to be ‘another extremely’ busy summer.

ISSUE; Poor parking in Coniston in 2020

Read more: Police cracking down on poor visitor behaviour in South Lakes 

MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron has written to Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Michael Gove asking him to reconsider.

Likewise, the Lake District National Park Authority formally asked the government to extend the rights earlier this year.

“In 2020 there was absolute chaos, with people parking in lay-bys, people camping in places they shouldn’t,” said Mr Farron.

“It was absolute chaos and in 2021 it wasn’t so much.

“And the reason was that the Government allowed landowners, farmers mostly, to have a campsite or car park in their field for 56 days.

“It worked perfectly to take heat off the situation and reduced the pressure on roads and car parks.

“And the Government is not planning on doing it again, which is really irritating.

“So, I have written to Michael Gove to say this works really well, it’s a free thing for us to do let us do it, it’ll bring in some money for farmers and help the tourism economy and stop the place being a congested nightmare over Easter and the summer.”

Hanna Latty, head of the strategy and ranger service with the LDNPA said the authority, along with partner agencies, will work to manage ‘potential issues’ arising from another busy summer and is focused on promoting the use of sustainable modes of transport.

Read more: Calls to address 'damaging traffic chaos' in the Lake District

BLOCKED: A heavily congested road at Wasdale Head

“A number of landowners in the Lake District made full use of the extension of permitted development rights to 56 days over summer 2020 and 2021 to help manage and respond to the increase in domestic tourism and reduction in the use of sustainable transport as a result of the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.

“During the last two visitor seasons, we found the planning rule extension hugely helpful as it allowed an increase in the number of available car parking spaces on a temporary basis, according to demand.

“Earlier this year, we formally asked government to extend the permitted development rights period for 2022, on behalf of all partners on Cumbria’s Tactical Visitor Management Group.

“In lieu of the 56-day rule extension, we will continue to work to manage potential issues in the 2022 season, building on the work undertaken together with our partners and communities over the last two seasons. 

“Detailed plans for the season ahead have been agreed, including seven Area Action Plans covering geographical areas of the Lake District.”

LDNPA is set to receive funding to support visitor management including three sustainable transport shuttle buses in specific locations. 

It is also working to promote and encourage sustainable travel and developing ticket offers to make this choice more affordable. 

And it is working with partners to maximise the 28 day permitted development rights by ‘coordinating and making sure the best 28 days are used’.

Cumbria Police has said it will continue to work closely with the National Park to combat potential issues.

“As the weather improves into Easter and the summer, we are expecting another extremely busy period, particularly in tourism areas,” said a police spokesman.

“All indications are that more people than ever before are now looking to holiday in the UK rather than take their holidays abroad, which will likely result in people travelling here in high numbers.

“Our officers work closely with Lake District National Park Authority and other partners including local councils and we encourage visitors to treat the area with respect, including planning to ahead to ensure you are safe and do not harm the environment.”