The Partnership's Plan - Lake District National Park
The Partnership's Plan - Lake District National Park The Partnership's Plan - Lake District National Park
Underlining these five priority actions and this vision is a commitment to quality and sustainability. The aspiration is to increase the volume of visitor trips from 15.3 million to 17 million in Cumbria. But the majority of this growth is expected in areas outside the National Park, with the economic benefit to the Lake District coming from existing visitors staying longer and spending more. Recent successes include: • During 2008-09 significant strides have been made to progress major signature projects; there has been major investment and quality improvements in visitor accommodation through the Tourism Connect programme and improved leisure facilities in Grizedale and Whinlatter Forest Parks. • The establishment, growth and recent reconstitution and branding of Nurture Lakeland as a pioneer of visitor payback (formerly the Tourism and Conservation Partnership). • In the public realm, we have seen improvements to Derwentwater foreshore and Keswick Town Centre, and Windermere’s Crescent Road. 3.5.3 Opportunities Tourism development in the Lake District must always ensure a balance between visitor demands and sustaining the cultural landscape it ultimately trades upon. And it must benefit the communities that host our visitors. Most arrive by private vehicles but we want to increase opportunities for other practical and enjoyable ways to travel around the National Park. We want to focus new tourism development where there are well established sustainable transport options; thirteen rural service centres are identified in the Local Development Framework with Ravenglass and Pooley Bridge. A world class experience for visitors means improving quality across all types and prices of accommodation and facilities. The National Park must, however, remain accessible and relevant to all in society. Not only must the high star rated hotels offer internationally competitive experiences, other accommodation and facilities including guesthouses, camping and caravan sites, should also offer high quality. The Windermere Waterfront Programme is the most prominent regeneration project in the Lake District and is a flagship for delivering a world class visitor experience in a cluster of locations in the centre of the National Park. Delivery will ensure Lake Windermere is at the heart of a destination providing a sustainable, world class visitor experience. The Waterfront Programme presents a great chance through redevelopment and enhancement to build in sustainability. This supports the notion that sustainable tourism through our built environment and facilities can respect local cultural heritage while having minimal impact on the landscape. The National Park’s distinct seasonal visitor pattern has changed in recent years with a trend towards a lengthening season. Visitors increasingly take short breaks throughout the year. This trend benefits employment and supports local businesses all year round. But we also need to ensure there is not excessive use of sensitive areas or diminish the value of tranquillity. Targeted industry support ensures we meet expectations, compete with UK and global destinations and play our part in tackling climate change. Nurture Lakeland, the Friends of the Lake District and the National Trust’s Lake District Appeal offer visitor’s important ways to contribute to conservation. 38
Businesses can do the same to encourage visitors and show their own commitment to the local landscape. But many need advice and assistance in sustainable business practice, such as purchasing from local sources and reducing energy use and waste. We will address serious and chronic problems of inadequate, outdated sewerage in towns such as Bowness on Windermere to show we are serious about creating a ‘world class visitor experience’. Increasingly frequent flooding with foul sewage is unacceptable. If visitor needs and expectations are not met then they will go elsewhere. This is particularly true of higher spenders. We need essential facilities such as visitor information and public conveniences. And we want quality facilities on offer at other major tourist attractions. There is growing interest in National Parks as UK holiday destinations – or ‘staycations’. But it is an economic opportunity that reinforces the need and urgency for significantly improved public infrastructure while sustaining our spectacular landscape, wildlife and culture. Visitors are not confined to those who come for leisure. There is a long tradition of scientific visits from all over the world, for example, to the Freshwater Biological Association with its global reputation for important and innovative freshwater research. Geologists, botanists and other scientists in the terrestrial environment field also help to sustain high quality research facilities and their well paid jobs. We have wider social responsibilities and need to give people from cities and West Cumbria the opportunity to experience the National Park. ‘World class experiences’ does not simply apply to an international audience. Local residents do not always seem to value the area or contribute their experience and local knowledge. 3.5.4 Key partners Partner agencies, often fronted by Cumbria Tourism and National Park Authority in conjunction with the Regional Development Agency have with partner agencies, commissioned Masterplans and public realm enhancement projects in many rural service centres and at key visitor facilities. Keswick and Windermere have seen their townscapes and environments improved. Cumbria County Council as Highways and Transport authority. There are also many organisations that are providing the facilities, managing the landscape and hosting activities that visitors enjoy. 39
- Page 1 and 2: Partnership The Partnership’s Pla
- Page 3 and 4: Contents Page Foreword 1 Welcome to
- Page 5: Foreword Having been Chairman on th
- Page 8 and 9: Why is the Plan different and what
- Page 10 and 11: Guiding principles for the Partners
- Page 12 and 13: Links to the Local Development Fram
- Page 15 and 16: PART ONE - What the Lake District l
- Page 17 and 18: History of tourism and outdoor acti
- Page 19 and 20: PART TWO - Where we want to be This
- Page 21 and 22: 2.2 Financial commitments All our w
- Page 23 and 24: World class visitor experiences The
- Page 25: Spectacular landscape, wildlife and
- Page 28 and 29: What does it look like now - Specia
- Page 30 and 31: • There are also challenges from
- Page 32 and 33: There needs to be a supply of local
- Page 34 and 35: • Identify, develop and initiate
- Page 36 and 37: 3.4 Prosperous economy - Actions fo
- Page 38 and 39: Action No. Action How Complete by L
- Page 40 and 41: World class visitor experience - Is
- Page 44 and 45: 3.6 Education, access and outdoor r
- Page 46 and 47: Interpretation is more than informa
- Page 48 and 49: Action No. Action How Complete by L
- Page 50 and 51: Action No. Action How Complete by L
- Page 52 and 53: • Cumbria Fells and Dales Local A
- Page 54 and 55: • There is immense pressure on ou
- Page 56 and 57: 3.11.2 Recent activity and successe
- Page 58 and 59: 3.13 Vibrant communities - Actions
- Page 60 and 61: Action No. Action How Complete by L
- Page 62 and 63: Spectacular landscape, wildlife and
- Page 64 and 65: The Low-carbon Lake District work c
- Page 66 and 67: Cumbria Freshwater Invasive Non Nat
- Page 68 and 69: • English Heritage’s Scheduled
- Page 70 and 71: The Cumbrian Fells have provided ac
- Page 72 and 73: 3.5 Spectacular landscape - Actions
- Page 74 and 75: Action No. Action How Complete by L
- Page 76 and 77: Action No. Action How Complete by L
- Page 78 and 79: Action No. Action How Complete by L
- Page 81 and 82: PART FOUR - Implementing and monito
- Page 83 and 84: 13 Maintain the number of settlemen
- Page 85 and 86: Annex A Statement of Outstanding Un
- Page 87 and 88: Wordsworth’s Romantic vision, sha
- Page 89 and 90: Annex B The Lake District National
- Page 91: Annex C National Park Profile (2009
Businesses can do the same to encourage visitors and show their own commitment to the<br />
local landscape. But many need advice and assistance in sustainable business practice, such<br />
as purchasing from local sources and reducing energy use and waste.<br />
We will address serious and chronic problems of inadequate, outdated sewerage in towns<br />
such as Bowness on Windermere to show we are serious about creating a ‘world class visitor<br />
experience’. Increasingly frequent flooding with foul sewage is unacceptable. If visitor needs<br />
and expectations are not met then they will go elsewhere. This is particularly true of higher<br />
spenders. We need essential facilities such as visitor information and public conveniences.<br />
And we want quality facilities on offer at other major tourist attractions.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is growing interest in <strong>National</strong> <strong>Park</strong>s as UK holiday destinations – or ‘staycations’. But it<br />
is an economic opportunity that reinforces the need and urgency for significantly improved<br />
public infrastructure while sustaining our spectacular landscape, wildlife and culture.<br />
Visitors are not confined to those who come for leisure. <strong>The</strong>re is a long tradition of scientific<br />
visits from all over the world, for example, to the Freshwater Biological Association with its<br />
global reputation for important and innovative freshwater research. Geologists, botanists and<br />
other scientists in the terrestrial environment field also help to sustain high quality research<br />
facilities and their well paid jobs.<br />
We have wider social responsibilities and need to give people from cities and West Cumbria<br />
the opportunity to experience the <strong>National</strong> <strong>Park</strong>. ‘World class experiences’ does not simply<br />
apply to an international audience. Local residents do not always seem to value the area or<br />
contribute their experience and local knowledge.<br />
3.5.4 Key partners<br />
Partner agencies, often fronted by Cumbria Tourism and <strong>National</strong> <strong>Park</strong> Authority in conjunction<br />
with the Regional Development Agency have with partner agencies, commissioned<br />
Masterplans and public realm enhancement projects in many rural service centres and at key<br />
visitor facilities. Keswick and Windermere have seen their townscapes and environments<br />
improved. Cumbria County Council as Highways and Transport authority. <strong>The</strong>re are also many<br />
organisations that are providing the facilities, managing the landscape and hosting activities<br />
that visitors enjoy.<br />
39
Change language