Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, has welcomed news that £440,000 in extra funding is being invested into the Lake District National Park to protect and conserve our natural environment and widen access to our scenic beauty spots, supporting tourism and growing the economy.
The Conservative Government has announced that all ten National Park Authorities will benefit from an equal share of the additional £4.4 million funding.
The extra investment will support services for visitors, including education and visitor centres, ranger services, new trails, residential programmes, and provide more opportunities for people to enjoy National Parks.
Dr Hudson represents a significant section of the Lakes that stretches from Caldbeck and Helvellyn through Ullswater and Haweswater to the Shap Fells. As such, he has consistently prioritised environmental protection from stemming the unacceptable and immoral amount of sewage being discharged into our rivers, lakes and seas by water companies to pushing for a net-zero future.
With farming dominating much of Penrith and The Border's landscapes, Dr Hudson firmly believes producing high-quality food and protecting our natural environment can and should go hand in hand. As such, the Cumbrian MP, has welcomed the Conservative Government's decision to extend the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme until 2025.
Having been delivered across 10 National Parks and 34 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty - including the Lakes and North Pennines in Dr Hudson's constituency - since 2021, the scheme provides funding to help land managers and farmers support and improve areas by delivering outcomes for nature, climate, people and place. More than 1,000 projects have already had funding approved, including Townfoot Farm, near Cumrew, which has seen Eden Rivers Trust restore a beck in order to reduce the flood risk and boost biodiversity.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
"Our beautiful, protected landscapes in Penrith and The Border are an integral part of our communities, large tourist sector and farming industry, and I'm proud to stand up for them. That' is why I have publicly welcomed this £440,000 investment in the Lake District to support visitor and education centres, ranger services, and more opportunities for people to enjoy our National Park.
"Moreover, the extension of the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme is further great news. We've already seen real successes in Cumbria with local people delivering innovative projects for themselves and the environment.
“By protecting and enhancing our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we can safeguard them for future generations to enjoy, while supporting tourism, farming and local communities to thrive."
For more information on how to apply for the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme, visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-for-farmers-in-protected-landscapes
