Review chief meets local council to learn about plans for 'South Pennines Park'

A blueprint for the future of the South Pennines was outlined to the man charged by the Government with reviewing the nation’s protected landscapes.

He learnt about the plans on a day-long visit to the region and met with Rochdale council representatives and others from Burnley, Oldham and Rossendale, along with their West Yorkshire counterparts and Lancashire County Council.

Writer Julian Glover is leading an independent panel considering whether England’s 10 national parks and 34 areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) are still fit for purpose in the 21st century. 

Currently the South Pennines, which includes parts of rural Rochdale, does not feature amongst these and is the only upland landscape in England not given statutory protection.

But local agencies and councils are working on a plan to create a self-declared South Pennines Park, the first of its kind in the UK and one which would pioneer a radical new approach to caring for the landscape.

Pam Warhurst, Chair of Pennine Prospects, said: “We are not seeking to become either a national park or an AONB – we want something that works specifically for our area and is in the tune with the massive environmental and social challenges we face.

“That’s why we are delighted that Julian Glover accepted our invitation to visit. A different approach to caring for our environment means building on three pillars: creating a landscape for the future, space for all and supporting thriving local economies.

“Having an overall management body will allow us to do that more effectively and build on the good things that have already been done, whether that’s fostering local distinctiveness, supporting the arts, restoring peat bogs, improving well-being, or backing local businesses.

“Ultimately it is not designation we seek, but national recognition of a different and in our view more sustainable way of doing things that is more centred on the needs of local people.”

The South Pennines spans Lancashire, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire and is bounded to the north by the Dales and the Peak District to the south.

Despite straddling the county border, the area shares a common heritage and sense of place.  

During his visit Julian Glover saw a striking map of the South Pennines created by Angela Smyth and set to be rolled out across 26 rail stations locally by Northern Rail to encourage visitors to explore and met councils and officials from utility companies, community groups, Rivers and Canal Trust and the National Trust.

The South Pennines was considered for designation by the post-war Hobhouse Report that led to the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, passed in 1949.

It has over 2,500 miles of rights of way, nationally important peat bogs, provides drinking water to the north’s two biggest cities and is a haven for rare wildlife like the twite (Pennine Finch). It has also been celebrated by artists including Ted Hughes and Simon Armitage. Last year Pennine Prospects was awarded £183,500 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to improve sustainable management and build capacity to potentially pave the way for a South Pennines Park.

Julian Glover added: “I’m really pleased to be visiting the South Pennines as part of this review – it’s such a special place and I’m looking forward to meeting the people involved in looking after it. This review is not only looking at how to support and improve the existing National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but the case for new protections too and I’m keen to hear from those working, living in and enjoying the South Pennines as to what they would want to see.“