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Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire will share the largest area of almost continuous National Park land following the decision to extend two of England鈥檚 most celebrated National Parks, the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District.

皇冠体育app announcement by Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss today will see the Yorkshire Dales grow by nearly 24% and Lake District by 3%. This will virtually join up these beautiful spaces, boosting rural tourism in the area, supporting rural businesses and potentially adding millions more to the 拢4 billion already generated by visitors to our stunning National Parks each year.

皇冠体育app announcement, which will protect these landscapes for future generations, was made as the Secretary of State visited Wensleydale Creamery, based in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and home of the protected Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese 鈥� one of many successful businesses within National Parks.

Commenting on the decision to extend the Parks Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss, said:

皇冠体育app Dales and the Lakes have some of our country鈥檚 finest landscapes, beautiful vistas and exciting wildlife. 皇冠体育appy are part of our national identity.

I am delighted to be able to announce this extension which will join these two unique National Parks and protect even more space for generations to come.

National Parks are fabulous national assets that welcome over 90 million tourists and contribute to our vibrant rural economy 鈥� we are committed to helping them thrive.

皇冠体育app announcement builds on the Secretary of State鈥檚 speech last week setting out her vision for a 25 year Environment Plan, and is the first step in delivering this government鈥檚 manifesto commitment of stronger protections for natural landscapes to ensure Britain has the best natural environment anywhere.

By protecting and promoting access to wide swathes of rural England, and providing attractive places to undertake physical activity and environmental volunteering - or simply take in the view - the extensions will help us to make the country the healthiest and most beautiful place in the world to live, work and bring up a family. 皇冠体育app move could also serve to strengthen the next generation鈥檚 connection with nature through the environmental activities available for families and children.

Also commenting on the extensions Natural England Chairman Andrew Sells added:

I very much welcome the Secretary of State鈥檚 decision to extend the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks in line with the recommendations made by Natural England.

皇冠体育app Chancellor鈥檚 Northern Powerhouse depends upon the 鈥榥atural capital鈥� provided by our iconic National Parks. 皇冠体育appy represent some of England鈥檚 most treasured natural assets. With international appeal, their stunning landscapes stand out as a beacon to the people who come to enjoy them whilst their intrinsic value drives the communities, businesses and biodiversity they support. Extending these today confirms their great importance and provides them with the recognition they richly deserve.

Further information

An additional 188 square miles of land across Cumbria and a small part of Lancashire will now be protected for future generations following the decision to extend two of England鈥檚 most iconic National Parks. This covers:

Lake District

• East - to include an area from Birkbeck Fells Common to Whinfell Common
• South - to include an area from Helsington Barrows to Sizergh Fell, an area north of Sizergh Castle and part of the Lyth valley

Yorkshire Dales

• North - to include parts of the Orton Fells, the northern Howgill Fells, Wild Boar Fell and Mallerstang
• West - to include Barbon, Middleton, Casterton and Leck Fells, the River Lune, and part of Firbank Fell and other fells to the west of the River Lune

皇冠体育app extension areas will come into effect in August 2016.

Tourism is hugely important to the rural economy, contributing around 拢11 billion each year. It鈥檚 also the main driver behind 13% of rural employment and 10% of rural businesses.

National Parks are a vital part of this visitor economy and more than 90 million people visit them each year helping to boost rural economies.

Over one third of England鈥檚 protected foods are produced within the National Parks. Since 2010, the number of protected foods in the UK has increased from 40 to 64.

皇冠体育app Secretary of State鈥檚 Open Environment Speech was delivered to environmental pioneers on 14 October.

Natural England is the Government鈥檚 statutory advisor on landscape, with specific responsibilities for designating and amending boundaries of National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Heritage Coasts. A legal document 鈥� known as a variation order 鈥� paved the way for the Secretary of State鈥檚 decision.