(AGENPARL) – Tue 30 September 2025 Please find our latest news release below.
Andrew Fagg
Media Officer
Working hours: Mon | Tue | Fri
http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Yoredale | Bainbridge | Leyburn | DL8 3EL
News Release
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Listed buildings among plan achievements
Bainbridge, 30 September 2025
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has noted the progress made by a wide range of bodies in implementing the objectives set out in the National Park Management Plan 2019-2024.
At a full Authority meeting held this afternoon in Bainbridge, Members debated the 2025 annual report – the final report on progress made on the 2019-2024 management plan.
The report showed that of 49 objectives in the plan, 27 were “achieved or remained on course”, and another 15 had seen “some progress”. Five had seen “little or no progress”, and two were unable to be assessed.
One of the significant achievements of the last year was the repair or restoration of 11 listed buildings in the National Park, including Appersett New Bridge by North Yorkshire Council (see picture).
An updated five-year management plan, with a revised set of objectives, will be launched by the partners in October.
Councillor Yvonne Peacock, who represents North Yorkshire Council on the management plan partnership, and is a Member of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “A lot of good work was done in the last year. Over 100 new homes were completed in the National Park; a new railhead was built at Horton Quarry; and nearly £2.5m was provided to farmers through Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes grants programme, to name a few examples.
“Looking back over the lifetime of the management plan, the designation of the National Park as an International Dark Sky Reserve; the Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership projects; improvements to the quality and accessibility of the rights of way; and the growth in the economic value of tourism, were some of the standout achievements.
“Now we are looking ahead, implementing a new five-year National Park Management Plan. We know we need to see more action and investment to address the decline in nature and in the health of rivers in the National Park, and we need to see local partners continuing to meet the challenges of building more affordable homes and sustaining key local services.”
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Note to Newsdesk
* Image: “Grade II listed Appersett New Bridge, in upper Wensleydale, was at risk owing to significant movement of its parapet and spandrels, and the dropping of an arch stone, but urgent repairs have been funded by North Yorkshire Council. It was one of 11 listed buildings in the National Park to be restored or repaired in the last year of the National Park Management Plan 2019-2024.”
1. The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of 15 National Parks in the UK. It is administered by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, which has two main purposes: “to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage” and “to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park”. In carrying out these purposes, the Authority has a duty “to seek to foster the economic and social well being of local communities”. The National Park Authority comprises 25 members, made up of unitary, county and city councillors and members appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment to represent parishes or in recognition of their specialist skills or knowledge.
1. All of our work is guided by the vision for the future of the National Park set out in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Management Plan: “Through their passion for this special place, local people and businesses will keep the Yorkshire Dales National Park a thriving area. Its unique cultural landscape will be treasured for its stunning scenery, exceptional heritage and wonderful wildlife, and every year millions of people will be inspired to be a part of it.”