Plans which could see the Lake District National Park extended have been put on hold, Natural England has said.

A public consultation exercise on the proposals has been deferred because of an ongoing wide-ranging inquiry into similar plans for the South Downs.

Natural England said the result of that inquiry could have an impact on plans for the Lake District.

Areas to the east of the existing national park have been earmarked as possible areas of outstanding beauty.

'Important issues'

Liz Newton, Natural England's regional director, said: "This has been a very difficult decision to reach.

"The designation work in the North West is a high priority for Natural England and I know how important it is to many people in the region.

"However, it is useful that the inspector in the South Downs has agreed to look at these nationally important issues again.

"When the implications of the South Downs public inquiry become clear we can then resume our work in the North West."

In May 2005 the then Countryside Agency agreed in principle that the national park should be extended.

The areas covered include Birkbeck Fells to Whinfell, Helsington Barrows to Sizergh Fell, River Kent and around Levens, Orton Fells and Northern Howgill Fells.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/7248366.stm 

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