What we do

Around 200 people work for the Lake District National Park Authority. Much of our work is behind the scenes but vital in keeping this corner of England special.

Our aims

Respecting the past

This does not mean keeping things in the past. It's more about taking things from the past into the future. Special projects include:

• bringing history alive for young people
• investing in our communities to help them plan for the future through community planning, surveys and action on the ground
• helping people conserve buildings and special places
• advising on the management and protection of ancient trees
• providing grants to local communities to help them keep their community traditions

Caring for the present

The National Park has always relied on the people living and working in it. In more recent centuries people have visited here to relax, enjoy themselves and be inspired.

We work with different groups to balance their needs with those of the landscape. Sometimes this requires high-quality negotiating skills to overcome complex and challenging issues.

Our services include:

• giving information through our visitor information centres
• developing and maintaining access to land and water
• encouraging responsible use of the countryside
• organising and events to celebrate the National Park and support the economy
• working to maintain our huge range of plant and animal species

Planning for the future

Our role in planning is not just to control development but to support the management of development with people - not alone.

We are committed to:

• creating policies which help manage change in collaboration with everyone from individuals to parish councils
• making decisions on planning applications and advising people on how to comply
• bringing organisations and volunteers together to ensure action takes place on the ground