The economic benefits of extending the boundary of the Lake District National Park have been stressed as hundreds of people turn out for a series of consultation events.

The significant potential of extending the park by around six per cent were outlined by David Savage of the Southern Boundary Partnership (SBP), which has organised Community Conversations events throughout the summer.

While the plan to extend was made by Natural England by Friends of the Lake District, the SBP, itself a group of councillors from parishes across the area, held the events to outline the benefits and gather feedback from residents.

Mapping of the proposed extension area proved to be the focus of attention for many, with questions on the route of the boundary line and the rationale for its selection.

Grange is included within the new boundary but Ulverston is not, while Flookburgh and areas to the south are also excluded.

The extent and route of the proposed new boundary was generated by independent research undertaken by FLD to assess ‘landscape quality’ in response to a request from a group of parish councils.

Mr Savage said: “We believe it has the potential to bring great personal and economic benefit to the area and we’re here to ensure that our residents and businesses are heard.”

For a proposal to extend a National Park to be successful, the area specified must meet various statutory tests and align with the criteria used by Natural England to inform its ultimate decision on whether a landscape is of the quality and character to afford National Park status.

Details and mapping of the proposed extension area along with a new question and answer section is available on the FLD website at www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/southern-boundary-extension.