National Parks must work for those that live in them - Farron

Following the release of a report today by environmental groups, South Lakes MP Tim Farron has insisted that the country's National Parks must also take into account the needs of the communities that live in them.

The report was published today by the Campaign for National Parks, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the National Trust. It is based on research commissioned by these organisations and carried out by Sheffield Hallam University.

Tim said: "Britain's National Parks are places of immense beauty, and it is an immense privilege for me to have parts of both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks in my constituency. This report highlights the great beauty of these areas, and the need to protect our environment. However, we also need to protect the communities that live in these areas.

"A careful balance must therefore be struck between the need to protect the environment and the need to have viable communities that can live in these areas. This might mean that there will be flexibility when it comes to allowing construction of new homes, installing better broadband and helping to create new employment. For the sakes of those who live in these areas, this side of the debate must be listened to by policy-makers."