Hartstop Valley landscape

Annual Report Appendix

Appendix of Plan Actions and reporting in 2023-24

This section is the appendix of the Lake District Partnership Plan.

Contents

Climate Action

Action 1: Using evidence from the Carbon Budget and other sources, lobby Government to develop new net zero incentives to re-trigger an acceleration in renewable energy production. (We have not lobbied government on this issue but have, for the first time, established data for energy consumption and use of renewable sources in the park: see infographic below. Lead Partner: LDNPA)

Renewable energy sources infographic

Infographic: shows the renewable energy generated in the Lake District (from wind turbines and solar panels) as a percentage (24%) of the overall energy consumed (983,840 Mega-watt hours)

Action 2: Lobbying Government to reduce VAT on the maintenance, repair and retrofitting of traditional buildings as a pilot in the Lake District (See case study on Climate Action page 'Lobbying government on VAT for repair/retrofit'. Lead Partner: LDNPA)

Action 3: By March 2024 secure agreement, by all partners, on significantly reducing carbon emissions through business planning and delivering of caron savings by integrating climate action into their business plans. (100% of Partners are addressing and delivering climate action through their business plans but more work needs to be done to understand the detail of this commitment. Lead Partner: LDNPA)

Action 4: By June 2024 develop and agree a pipeline of new Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership sector projects for climate action to move towards addressing the gap identified that can feasibly by implemented in the next 10, 15, 20 years. (See case study on Climate Action page ‘Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership’s Sector Groups’)

Action 5: Empowering locally led climate action by creating a network of ‘climate champions’ with communities by working with Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership to support the delivery of local projects and community action. (This action has not been progressed due to a lack of resources. Lead Partner: LDNPA)

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Future of Farming and Forestry, Nature Recovery and Climate Change

Action 1:  Develop and deliver a coordinated Partnership transition support programme to enable business adaption, nature and climate recovery and maintenance of the cultural landscape and supporting young entrants by securing the high take-up of options within the Government’s Agricultural Transition Plan 2021-2024, through:

  • Action 1a: Delivering business (including succession planning) and environmental advice and support to those farmers, foresters, and land managers who request it to help develop and adapt their business plan to apply for schemes with the Agricultural Transition Plan. (It has not been possible in 2023-24 to establish the percentage of people accessing integrated business advice. However, the Partnership has brought together partners in this space to establish what is on offer and where the gaps are, and has run workshops for farmers. Lead Partner: LDNPA Authority)
  • Action 1b: Delivering the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme to secure the climate, nature, people and place themes.(See case study on Future of Farming page ‘FiPL Year 3 review 2022-23)

Percentage of FIPL projects addressing each theme

Graph: shows the number of projects delivering against the four FiPL themes: some projects have delivered against more than one

Number of farmers and projects benefitting from farming in protected landscapes

Graph: number of farmers and projects benefiting from the Farming in Protected Landscape Programme

  • Action 1c: Delivering the Environmental Land Management test and trial pilots and influence Environmental Land Management policy that secures the future of the Special Qualities and attributes of OUV. (See case study on Future of Farming page ‘Number of farmers that have engaged with Landscape Recovery pilots’, which is the name now given to the Environmental test and trial pilots)
  • Action 1d: Assist farmers with advice in securing and delivering Countryside Stewardship schemes between 2021 and 2023.Graph showing the percentage of land under agri-environment agreements

Graph: percentage of land under agri-environmental agreements between 2018 and 2023

  • Action 1e: Developing and securing a mix of finance opportunities for natural capital and public services projects from private, charitable, public crowdfunding sources. See statement (See statement on Future of Farming page ‘Number of blended finance projects in the park’)

Blended finance projects in the Park

Infographic: number of blended finance projects in the Lake District National Park (Baseline 2022-23=9, 2023-24=5 in development)

Action 2: Make on-the-ground contributions to deliver the Cumbria Local Nature Recovery Strategy by developing the Lake District National Park Nature Recovery Prospectus and delivering it through:

  • Action 2a: Working with individual farms, farm clusters and community farming initiatives to increase understanding of options for nature and climate recovery and identifying and co-creating farming led local nature recovery and landscape scale recovery schemes. (In 2022-23 there was one farmer-led initiative in the National Park delivering this action: the West Lakes Community Interest Company. This has been joined in 2023-24 by the Lynster Farmer Group. Lead Partner: LDNPA)
  • Action 2b: championing and resourcing the recovery of priority and, or protected habitats and species across the Lake District through restoration schemes. This will include their long-term protection and management. (See statement on Future of Farming page ‘Area of Core Nature Recovery Areas in the National Park’)

area in hectares of core nature recovery areas

Infographic: area in hectares of core recovery areas (19.9% of the area of the Lake District National Park)

  • Action 2c: Delivering targets for woodland creation and restoration schemes in line with the Partnership’s ‘Tree planting and woodland creation guidelines’. (The total area of woodland in the Lake District National Park in 2023 was 29,079ha. High, medium and low targets for woodland creation per annum being 250, 200 and 150 ha, with woodland cover at 19%, 17% and 15 % of the National Park area respectively. No data is available for the amount of woodland created or restored over the financial year. Lead Partner: Forestry Commission)
  • Action 2d: Delivering targets for peatland restoration schemes through schemes at: Rusland Moss National Nature Reserve; Caldbeck Common; Barf Common and Linking the Valleys. (Targets for the area of peat restored over the life of the Plan are 7,000, 6,000 and 5,000ha (high, medium and low targets) based on total site area. See case study on Future of Farming page for the ‘Barf Common peat restoration project’)

Graph showing peatland restoration in the Lake DistrictGraph: Peatland restoration in the Lake District National Park (total site area in hectares from 2020 to 2023 and cumulative total, area of peatland restored and peatland surveyed with restoration plans)

Carbon Sequestration at the Lake District National Park

Graph: carbon sequestered  in restored peatland from 2020 to 2023

  • Action 2e: Pursuing the restoration and reintroduction of key species, including Back on our map BOOM. (No data available in 2023-24)
  • Action 2f: Improving the system to assess condition and extent of priority habitats. (No data available in 2023-24)
  • Action 2g: supporting the delivery of four community led land management initiatives to increase nature recovery, climate recovery and maintain cultural heritage. (There has been no change since last year from our baseline of 1 community-led land management initiative in the Lake District: the Ullswater Catchment Management CIC. Lead Partner: LDNPA)

Action 3:  Reduce the contributions from farming and land management make to greenhouse gas emissions in line with the National Farmers Union net zero goal and support farmers and land managers on adaptation by:

  • Action 3a: Securing resources, promoting, and delivering carbon budget assessments for individual farms, farm clusters and community farming initiatives. (See statement on Climate Action page ‘Number of farmers who have undertaken farm carbon business audits’)

Number of farmers who have undertaken farm carbon business audits in 2023-24

Infographic: number of farmers who undertook carbon business audits in 2023-24

  • Action 3b: Co-creating and delivering farming led carbon reduction or carbon storage measures through the funding packages available. (No data available in 2023-24)
  • Action 3c: Co-creating and supporting farmers and land managers make adaptation part of their plans, and helping to deliver schemes to reduce their own risk to climate change, and deliver public benefits to reduce risks to local communities and the Special Qualities of the Lake District. (No data available in 2023-24)

Action 4: Maintain, celebrate and strengthen traditional Lake District farming systems by:

  • Action 4a: Preparing and publishing an updated Lake District Shepherds Guide by 2023 to establish a baseline of fell going flocks to understand and support the viability of hefted flocks. (See case study on Future of Farming page ‘The Lake District Shepherds’ Guide’)
  • Action 4b: Increasing number of Commons in successful agri-environment schemes and landscape recovery pilots and projects to sustain and enhance the value and benefit Commons provide.

Concentration of Hefting on Commons in the Lake District

graph showing concentration of hefting on Commons in the Lake DistrictGraph: concentration of hefting on Commons in the Lake District

Heft Map 2023

Maps: Heft Map 2017 (left) and 2022 (right). The key to these maps is the same as the graph above.

Percentage of Commons in Agri-environment Schemes

Percentage of common land in countryside stewardship schemes

Graph: pie charts depicting percentage of Commons in agri-environmental schemes: this is the first time we have been able to report on this

Action 5: Deliver actions to improve the water environment of Lake Windermere. Resources and projects are being coordinated through the Love Windermere Partnership  (See case study on Future of Farming page ‘Love Windermere')

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A Lake District for Everyone

Action 1: Create a dedicated Engagement and Outreach Team to provide progressive opportunities for engagement to target underserved groups either in local outdoor spaces or in the Lake District itself. The Engagement and Outreach Team will then identify priority activity to ensure the Lake District is a place for everyone whether connected through association or by a physical visit. (It has been agreed that the Key Outcome Group replaces the Engagement and Outreach Team concept. The KOG has identified priority projects for the remainder of the Plan period some of which are described as case studies in the main part of this report. Source: Lake District National Park Authority.)

Action 2: Ensure the Lake District is welcoming for all by:

  • Action 2a: Developing a ‘Warm Welcome’ certificated training scheme, applicable to the Tourism sector and other staff engaging with visitors. Embed the training as a requirement into existing staff professional development and into new staff roles. (This action is not currently being pursued. Lead Partner: LDNPA)
  • Action 2b: Promoting the ‘Warm Welcome’ training scheme to businesses and organisations through existing networks to encourage its take up to develop staff skills. (While the Warm Welcome training scheme is not currently being pursued we have been exploring through the Collaboration Hub residents' views on visitor management in Wasdale. See statement on A Lake District for Everyone ‘Collaboration Hub conversations support Partners and communities’)
  • Action 2c: Delivering greater coverage of ‘on the ground ambassadors’ by joining up and focusing visitor facing rangers, staff, and volunteers across the Partnership organisations, and where possible appointing additional rangers to fill gaps. (This action is not currently being pursued. Lead Partner: LDNPA)
  • Action 2d: Developing and promoting a wider range of volunteering opportunities and packages including volunteering holidays that meet the needs of a diverse audience to create enjoyable experiences. (This action is not currently being pursued. Lead Partner: LDNPA)

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Sustainable Travel and Transport

Action 1: Advocate and support initiatives for multi-modal ticketing and enhanced connectivity from the West Coast Mainline between Penrith and Keswick and from Oxenholme and Windermere Stations. (A Park and Sail scheme has been delivered (boat and bus) and a Rail-Bus scheme is in development. Lead Partner: LDNPA)

Action 2: Lobbying and working with relevant bodies and organisations to support proposals for funding and delivery of following rail upgrades:

  • Action 2a: Doubling of capacity on the Lakes Line. (See statement on Sustainable Travel and Transport page ‘Progress of Lakes Line business case’)
  • Action 2b: Cumbria Coast Line improvements. (No data available in 2023-24. Lead Partner: Cumberland Council)
  • Action 2c: West Coast Main Line service stopping and capacity improvements. Direct services to/from London, Scotland and Manchester Airport.

StationNorth bound
Mon-Fri
South bound
Mon-Fri
Weekly
Penrith323031
Oxenholme403843
Either or both464644

StationNorth bound
Saturday
South bound
Saturday
North bound
Sunday
South bound
Sunday
Weekly
Penrith31292825423
Oxenholme43393532539
Either or both44423737620

Table: Monitoring the numbers of services operating, on different days of the week, helps the Partnership to understand whether or not rail services that allow passengers to access the Lake District are increasing, decreasing or stable over time.

  • Action 2d: Improved number of trains stopping at Penrith and Oxenholme and connectivity with HS2 to meet the needs of Lake District.

StationNorth bound
Mon-Fri
South bound
Mon-Fri
Weekly
Penrith323031
Oxenholme403843
Either or both464644

StationNorth bound
Saturday
South bound
Saturday
North bound
Sunday
South bound
Sunday
Weekly
Penrith31292825423
Oxenholme43393532539
Either or both444237376

    Table: Monitoring the numbers of services operating, on different days of the week, helps the Partnership to understand whether or not the number of services stopping at Penrith and Oxenholme are increasing, decreasing or stable over time.

  • Action 2e: Station accessibility improvements on all lines, and in particular improved accessibility at Ulverston and Staveley. (No schemes have been completed in 2023-24. Funding has been applied for at Ulverston but there have been long delays in hearing from the government regarding the outcome of the funding bid. Lead Partner: Westmorland and Furness Council)

Action 3: Develop marketing and ticketing initiatives for all sustainable and active transport modes. All Partners to promote sustainable travel through their own communications. (Data on sustainable travel usages has not been updated since last year’s annual report: the next visitor survey looking at transport choices will take place in 2025. Lead Partner: LDNPA)

Action 4: Work in partnership to secure the decarbonisation of transport including:

  • Action 4a: Rolling out EV charging.

Electric Vehicle Charging Points in the Lake District

infographic illustrating charge points

Infographic: electric charging points in the Lake District from 32 in 2020 to 80 in 2024


infographic showing 8.5% travelled to the lake district by EV or hybrid and 5.9% travel around the lake district by EV or hybrid

Infographic: 8.5% of visitors travelled here by EV or hybrid vehicle, with 5.9% using them to travel around while they were here.

    • Action 4b: Support carbon reduction technology on buses, trains and water transport. (See statement on Sustainable Travel and Transport page ‘Number of Carbon Reduction Transport projects’)
    • Action 4c:  Secure funding for and delivery of rail improvements on the Lakes Line to deliver passing loop, and electrification or other low carbon technologies. (See statement on Sustainable Travel and Transport page ‘Progress of Lakes Line business case’)

    Action 5: Develop high quality active travel measures including:

    • Action 5a: Develop cycle corridors and spurs and set out in Cumbria Transport Improvement Plan and Borderlands See More Lake District Project. (0 were delivered in 2023-24 but 1 is in development and 2 are proposed. Lead Partner: Lake District National Park Authority)
    • Action 5b:  Develop a network of e-bike charging points. (No data available. Lead Partner: Lake District National Park Authority)
    • Action 5c: Targeted traffic management in suitable locations through community pilots. (We continue to work with community groups and are developing potential schemes in a number of valleys in partnership. Lead Partner: Lake District National Park Authority)

    Action 6: Work with communities to pilot sustainable travel improvements. (See example case study on Sustainable Travel and Transport page ‘Community Sustainable Travel pilots’)

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Vibrant Communities and a Prosperous Economy

Action 1: Lobby Homes England to make the social rent funding available for all relevant housing schemes throughout the Lake District not just South Lakeland by 2022. (This is no longer a live action due to changes in social rent funding. Lead Partner: LDNPA)

Action 2: Lobby central Government to agree to introduce a mechanism to control the conversion of first to second homes in the Lake District, and to remove the small business rates exemption for furnished holiday homes by 2023. (See statement on Vibrant Communities and a Prosperous Economy page ‘Removal of Small Business Rate exemption’)

Action 3: Lobby mortgage lenders to agree to be more flexible when lending on properties with local occupancy controls, and review annually. (See statement on Vibrant Communities and a Prosperous Economy page ‘Number of Key Mortgage Lenders that are flexible on lending’)

Action 4: Deliver the projects within the Windermere Gateway area to improve Windermere Station, and deliver affordable housing (circa 160 units) and employment space through:

Action 5: Continue to support the multi-agency visitor management response to the Covid-19 pandemic including delivering the Visitor Management Tactical Action Plans. (The Strategic Visitor Management Group has signed off its Tactical Action Plan 2024 and is making preparations for the 2024 season. This includes agreeing the release of funds towards certain interventions, maximising wherever possible other funding opportunities, including the Bus Service Improvement Fund. Lead Partner: Cumbria Tourism. Economic Value of tourism data has not changed since that reported in 2022-23 with the next data set due in 2024; although see statement and graph on the economic trajectory on Vibrant Communities and a Prosperous Economy page ‘Economic Value of Tourism’)

Action 6: Work with businesses, transport operators and infrastructure providers to help connect people with jobs in rural areas they couldn’t otherwise take through the provision of an effective and innovative rural bus service. (Westmorland and Furness Council has received £750,000 as part of the Rural Mobility Fund to enhance the provision of demand responsive transport services. New services will serve a 10-mile radius of Ulverston and 15-mile radius of Penrith. Lead Partner: Westmorland & Furness Council)

Action 7: Secure private financing in natural capital drawing on the partnerships investment ready schemes, including working through the National Park’s Partnerships Net Zero for Nature programme. (No data available in 2023-24, Lead Partner: Lake District Foundation; this action is now - 2024-25 - being taken forward through the Farming, Forestry, Nature and Climate Key Outcome Group.)

Action 8: To maximise the opportunities presented by the Project Gigabit Cumbria pilot project to connect gigabit capable broadband in hard to reach premises in the Lake District.

number of dwellings with broadband in 2023

Infographic: number of dwellings in the Lake District National Park in 2023 with broadband. (3.1% USO <10Mbps, 83.6% Superfast  >30Mbps, 10% have gigabit connectivity)

number of dwellings with broadband in 2024

Infographic: number of dwellings in the Lake District National Park in 2024 with broadband. (2.6% USO <10Mbps, 86% Superfast  >30Mbps, 297% have gigabit connectivity)£928k of digital borderlands or Cumbria County Council top-up paid or allocated in the Lake District

Action 9: For those premises which will not be covered by Project Gigabit, we will work with communities to help promote the opportunity presented by suppliers to connect rural communities to gigabit capable broadband. (Connecting Cumbria top-up funding remains available to premises with less than 30Mbps download providing up to £7,000 per small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) and £3,000 per residential beneficiary. There is also on-going supplier engagement including with B4RN and Openreach and on-going community engagement. Lead partner: Connecting Cumbria)

Action 10: Monitor 4G coverage in the National Park as the shared Rural network delivers and assess whether further intervention is required so that no-one and no place is left behind.

Infographic showing that 47.8% of the Lake District National Park has 4G Coverage

Infographic: 48.3% of the Lake District has 4G coverage

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Acknowledgements

This report has been compiled and edited by Veronica Fiorato, Partnership Manager for the Lake District National Park Partnership, with support from Lois Mansfield, Environmentors consultancy.  Numerous Partners and officers of the Lake District National Park Authority have assisted with particular mention going to Tim Duckmanton, Andrew Herbert, Hanna Latty, Emma Moody, Chloe Swift, Mairi Lock, Eleanor Kingston, Rose Lord and Adrian Anderson. The source of data and case studies have been acknowledged throughout the report, where not supplied by the Lake District National Park Authority.

Natalie Whiteside (LDNPA) produced web layout support and advanced publishing while Emily Rushworth (LDNPA) provided digital imagery. Additional graphics and design was by Matthew Richardson at Mr* Letters.

Thanks must also go to Steve Tonkin of the Lake District Foundation for newly building the Partnership’s Dashboard to allow the digital gathering of data and case studies for this year’s report and going forward.

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