Letters: Working together for the Dales

Yet for the record, I think it is important I clarify our position on the issues raised in his letter and the Spectator's Notes column in the same issue.

Firstly, we need to remember why national park authorities were created. What is our purpose? Our purpose is to "conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage", and to "promote opportunities for the enjoyment of the special qualities of the parks by the public". These purposes are not optional; they are clearly set out in legislation.

So how well has this authority done in measuring up against these purposes? And just how big a gap is there between the national park movement and some of its "subjects"?

Last year, we commissioned an independent NOP poll of 500 randomly selected national park residents. When read the statement: "The national park authority has been successful in helping look after the national park as a whole", 83pc either strongly agreed or tended to agree. Only 6pc tended to disagree or strongly disagreed.

I hope Mr Manley can take some comfort in these independent figures, which I also hope gives your correspondent some food for thought.

Further, this authority works everyday with the local farming community. As just one example, in recent years we have invested nearly half a million pounds into our farm conservation scheme, proving that farming and conservation need not conflict, but instead can go hand in hand. Such a scheme, which is one of many, works to protect this area's greatest economic asset, its environment. It is the national park's environment that is so vital, not only in attracting the millions of people that visit this special place, but also for those that make their living here, be it in farming, tourism or any one of a number of industries and enterprises.

I accept that the national park authority is not perfect, yet what I do say is that we are open, honest and accountable. We actively encourage people to come forward and tell us what they would like us to do, and what we could be doing better. That is why we have started our Area Actions initiative, to empower local communities to tell us what they want us to do on the ground, and that is why we are reviewing our planning service, to make sure we offer the best service possible to the local community.

The residents of this national park are not our "subjects", we want them to be our partners. My personal experience is that there are very few problems that cannot be resolved by people of genuine heart getting round a table and engaging in honest dialogue.

The recent Association of National Park Authorities conference in Skipton concluded that the communities within each national park are central to their identity. So by working together I hope we can maintain and enhance a national park to be proud of.

DAVID BUTTERWORTH

Chief Executive

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Authority

Yorebridge House,

Bainbridge.

A good choice

Sir, - I would like to congratulate Mr David Butterwoth on his appointment as chief executive of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. A good choice as he has lived and worked in the area for a number of years and has come to know the people and area very well.

I have the following comments for him to consider:

1 The word national is wrong, National means common to the nation, but the land so designated is privately owned so does not belong to the nation.

2 The word park is wrong, dictionary description is a large public garden in a town or for recreation or a large enclosed area for public recreation. Not true. Local people live and work to make a living in these areas.

3 The areas so designated are not areas of outstanding national beauty. They have become so by the hard work of local people, farmers, leadminers, foresters, etc, to name just a few who have cultivated the land, built stone walls and barns and managed woodland over generations to make these views possible.

4 Why cannot small be beautiful again as it once was? Most of the dales' villages had up to a dozen or more small holdings, under 40 acres, which were worked part time by estate workers, quarrymen, publicans, etc who used the extra income to put the jam onto their bread or into larger holdings. As a by-product of smallholdings, walls, fences, and barns were kept in good repair. This would save the NPA money in grant aid. But no, if it is not large and profitable young people have their planning applications refused. The result is no young farmers coming into the industry as there are no steps in the ladder for them.

I see the government is now trying to extend the areas of land under the guise of Special Scientific Interest to other areas of the Pennines. Is this nationalisation of land under another name? You may own the land but you must obey government policy.

This is also happening in the New Forest where the present government is wanting to create another national park. As a result the New Forest Commoners Defence Association has been formed to try to prevent it. Some members have been in contact with me over recent months and I think it is time we all got together and told this government that enough is enough.

TOM KNOWLES

Sycamore Close,

Spennithorne,

Leyburn.

Lighten up, Paul

Sir, - Paul Kane, who lost the recent by-election in Middleton, writes disparagingly of me in your letters column (D&S, Oct 27). Most of his letters (of which he writes a lot) in local papers are grumpy in tone.

Yes, I visited his house and left a note; his dogs nearly barked the roof off. I talked to several of his neighbours for half an hour afterwards and he didn't come out for a chat. The last two occasions I've said hello to him at Middleton mart, he's ignored me.

He also fails to mention the fact that the slip I leave contains my phone number; it's 01833 660781, and every week I help different people with dealings with the council.

I shall carry on visiting people every week, and leaving a little note when they are out. Would Paul prefer me to stay at home? So come on Paul, lighten up, and try to let a councillor get on with his job.

Coun IAN GALLETLEY

Old Clee House,

Cleatlam,

Darlington