The northern Howgills, which currently lie outside the national-park boundary

A Lakeland MP says the proposed extension of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks should be put to a referendum of residents.

Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale insists the plans should only go ahead if there is a vote in favour by local communities. Mr Farron is also the LibDems’ spokesman for the environment, food and rural affairs.

Natural England, the Government’s advisory body on the natural environment, announced the start of consultations last week on enlarging areas covered by the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks.

Mr Farron said: “Controversial plans to extend the boundaries of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks should only be agreed if residents of the communities involved say ‘yes’ in a local referendum.

Tim Farron MP: 'referendum must take place'

“There are advantages and disadvantages to being in a national park. One major disadvantage can be that planning and other decisions cease to be decided democratically and that attempts to develop affordable homes for local families can become much more difficult.

“From a conservation of landscape point of view, there are of course advantages too, but it’s essential that those communities that would move into one of the national parks have the final say on whether or not they are included.

“A local referendum must take place to give residents the chance to make the decision; otherwise the so-called consultation will just be meaningless.”

But campaigners welcomed Natural England’s announcement to start the consultation. Ruth Chambers of the Campaign for National Parks said: “What better way of celebrating this special national parks week than by kicking off the consultation to expand them.

“This step marks major progress in what the CNP and many others have long considered to be unfinished business for the two parks.

“Parts of the existing boundaries make little sense in landscape terms, having been drawn under political pressure along former administrative or road boundaries at the time of their original designation in the 1950s.  There are some stunning areas immediately abutting both parks which thoroughly deserve to be given national-park status, for example the northern Howgills and areas around Mallerstang, Orton and Whinfell. We warmly welcome Natural England’s imminent public consultation on expanding the national parks.”

Yesterday marked the 60th anniversary of legislation which led to the setting up of Britain’s national parks.

Ms Chambers continued: “CNP is especially excited that the consultation launch is planned for the very same week which, 60 years ago, saw royal assent granted to the bill which became the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 – the legislation that enabled all of the national parks of England and Wales to be created.

“2009 has been a red-letter year for national parks and we look forward to new boundaries for the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales being agreed as quickly as possible, so that these areas might enjoy the benefits that national park status brings.”