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Lancashire Times
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3:45 PM 30th March 2022
nature

Major Heritage Scheme Proposed For The Lune Valley

 
Local charity Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) is helping to develop a major scheme to conserve and celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of the central Lune Valley area, which crosses the boundaries of Cumbria, Lancashire, and North Yorkshire.

The Three Counties: Lune Valley scheme is being developed in partnership with the Forest of Bowland AONB, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Sustrans and other organisations, and is expected to deliver a wide range of community and heritage projects and offer numerous opportunities for people to get involved or find out more about the area.

Don Gamble, YDMT’s Programmes Manager, said:
“The Lune Valley has some of the North West's finest countryside, rich in historical and cultural heritage, supporting diverse wildlife and habitats, and home to vibrant communities. We’re really excited about the potential of the new scheme to make it an even better place for people, heritage, and nature.”


To find out what residents and visitors value about the area, the partnership is running an online survey (https://arcg.is/1bHbuq) to the end of April. The survey has been developed with the help of Natural England.

There are also public drop-in events at The Methodist Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale on Tuesday 5 April, the Victoria Institute, Caton on Wednesday 6 April, and Bentham Town Hall on Thursday 7 April for people to find out more and take part in the survey.

The events run between 7pm and 8.30pm and anyone attending is encouraged to bring along a laptop, mobile phone, or other device to connect to the online survey, but other options will be available. The events are open to all and free to attend.

Elliott Lorimer, Forest of Bowland AONB Manager, said:
“We’d love to know what places you value, and why. It could be somewhere that you have family connections with, or that you visit to experience nature, the landscape and its tranquillity, or it might be a place with an amazing view or have historical or cultural links. We also want to know about places that you think could be improved, for instance through better access or management.”

The partners have developed and successfully run similar schemes in other areas of the National Park and AONB and will be aiming to secure funding from the National Lottery and other sources. The scheme is expected to start in 2025 and run for three to five years.

Kathryn Beardmore, YDNPA’s Director of Park Services, added:
“Landscape-scale schemes like this can take a few years to develop, and community views are fundamental at the start of the process, to develop a strong programme that’s been well thought out, that has public support, and which makes best use of public and private funding.”

Further information, the online survey, and the option to sign up for updates can all be accessed at www.ydmt.org/what-we-do/three-counties

You can also email threecounties@ydmt.org or write to Three Counties, YDMT, Old Post Office, Main Street, Clapham, via Lancaster, LA2 8DP.