Member Article

Northumberland National Park unveils vision for the future

Apprenticeships, support for the rural economy, health and learning are the cornerstones of a five year strategy unveiled by Northumberland National Park Authority.

The Northumberland National Park Management Plan 2016-2021 has been launched following an extensive consultation with stakeholders.

It sets out the priorities, long-term vision and actions for managing the National Park to ensure its objective to secure a sustainable and prosperous future for the landscape and its communities are being met.

The document, which lays out the National Park’s priorities, long-term vision and delivery action plan, was launched at The Cheviot Centre in Wooler, the northern gateway to the Park, by Chairman Councillor Glen Sanderson and Tony Gates, Chief Executive.

Glen Sanderson said: “This is the single most important document for the whole Park and sets out our ambitions for how the National Park will be looked after over the next five years.

“It guides the focus of the work that we will do to secure a prosperous future for the National Park and the people that live, work and visit this special place. The new plan reflects the views and aspirations of the local communities, young people, farmers, land managers, business owners, volunteers and visitors who make Northumberland National Park the unique natural asset that it is.

“This plan is a statement of our intent and its success depends on everyone who cares about the National Park helping to secure and enhance its future.

“We want to ensure that it is a place to be proud of for generations to come. On behalf of the Management Plan Partnership I would like to thank all those individuals and organisations that have contributed to the development of this plan.”

The new management plan builds on the highly successful implementation of the National Park Authority’s original plan which was launched in 2010. It generated a positive response from consultees with the majority of respondents and attendees at drop-in events in support of the Authority’s approach to the review process.

They also agreed that the Management Plan Partnership and National Park Authority are doing a good job in directing the future of the National Park.

Tony Gates, Chief Executive at Northumberland National Park Authority, said: “Our new plan is for the whole Park and aims to build on the success we’ve had in developing a sustainable model by promoting ways of living and working that allow people to enjoy life, businesses to prosper and communities to thrive, whilst protecting and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the landscape.

“We also want to create lots of new opportunities for people in the region and beyond to visit and enjoy the special qualities of the National Park. Indeed, a major purpose of The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre is to open up the landscapes of the Park and surrounding areas to encourage more visits from under-represented groups and residents of urban areas. It’s an ambitious, ground-breaking project and the largest ever undertaken by a National Park in the UK.

“However it is very important to point out that The Sill is going to be much more than just a building when it opens next year. It represents our ambition to provide an even greater number and varied range of activities across the Park, offering something for everyone and helping people to learn about the Park’s distinctive places and open spaces. It will also deliver substantial economic benefits within the Park and beyond.

“In an increasingly busy world, the opportunities the National Park provides for working, learning, discovery and recreation are more important than ever to people’s lives.”

Since the launch of the original Park Management Plan, the National Park Authority has met a range of targets. These include securing support and investment for The Sill, creating a Youth Cabinet, recruiting more young volunteers, achieving International Dark Sky Park Gold tier status, upgrades to cycle routes and ensuring all farm land in the Park is managed under the Environmental Stewardship Scheme.

Key objectives outlined in the Northumberland National Park Management Plan 2016-2021 include:

• Delivering more apprenticeships for young people • Supporting the rural economy • Supporting more initiatives to increase public health and wellbeing • Creating more participatory learning and volunteering opportunities • Protect and enhance the tranquillity, natural and cultural heritage of the Park • Continued promotion of sustainable land management

The new Northumberland National Park Management Plan has been developed in partnership with Northumberland National Park Authority; Northumberland County Council; The Environment Agency; Natural England; English Heritage; Historic England; Northumberland Tourism Ltd; The Country Land and Business Association; The Defence Infrastructure Organisation; Northumberland County Joint Local Access Forum; Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust; The National Farmers Union; The Forestry Commission; The Northumberland National Park Foundation and The North East Farming and Rural Advisory Network.

Northumberland National Park is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary. It was designated in 1956 and covers 405 square miles including the incredible landscape of Hadrian’s Wall, the tranquillity of the North Tyne Valley and the spectacular views from the Cheviots. Today there are 15 National Parks in the UK.

Earlier this year, Northumberland National Park was voted ‘National Park of the Year’ in the prestigious BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards. The award is particularly special because Northumberland National Park won as the result of a public ballot.

Click on the link to download the full Northumberland National Park Management Plan 2016-2021. http://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/managementplan .

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