Land use
Conflicts and solutions
The variety of different land uses inevitably leads to disagreements. Most of this conflict is caused by the mass influx of tourists to the region.
As there are so many different landowners and land users many conflicts arise, so we will focus on two and look at the various management strategies designed to minimise them.
Conflict 1: locals vs tourists
| Problems | Solutions |
| The limestone pavements suffer from wear and tear, and from the removal of stone, because of the sheer number of visitors | Legislation and a warden service are in place to protect limestone pavements |
| Severe traffic congestion on local roads near to main attractions like Malham Cove, limits the movement of locals especially during peak season | The use of public transport and a Dales Bike Bus, which can carry 24 bikes, are promoted |
| An increase in vehicles results in a build-up of air and noise pollution from car exhausts | Cycling is promoted within the park, and there are a number of cycle paths |
| The demand for car parking exceeds the number of spaces provided, which results in parking on grass verges | Some farmers open up fields for car parking during peak season. A Dales Visitor Guide which advises visitors on environmentally positive behaviour has been published |
| Footpaths have been eroded, particularly in the areas around Malham Cove and Gordale Scar | Surfacing busy paths and building steps up the side of Malham Cove, to prevent further erosion |
| Litter detracts from the appearance of the area | Litter bins have been removed, in the hope that visitors will take litter home |
| House prices in the area increase, partly because of incomers wishing to live there and partly because of the demand for second homes; first-time buyers are unable to get onto the property ladder | National Government offers help to first-time buyers through affordable home ownership schemes |
| Areas begin to look artificial as tourist facilities, signs and man-made walkways are constructed | Developing a wider spread of 鈥榟oneypot鈥 areas, and the local authority can refuse planning permission for new unsightly developments that conflict with the aims of the National Park |
| Problems | The limestone pavements suffer from wear and tear, and from the removal of stone, because of the sheer number of visitors |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Legislation and a warden service are in place to protect limestone pavements |
| Problems | Severe traffic congestion on local roads near to main attractions like Malham Cove, limits the movement of locals especially during peak season |
|---|---|
| Solutions | The use of public transport and a Dales Bike Bus, which can carry 24 bikes, are promoted |
| Problems | An increase in vehicles results in a build-up of air and noise pollution from car exhausts |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Cycling is promoted within the park, and there are a number of cycle paths |
| Problems | The demand for car parking exceeds the number of spaces provided, which results in parking on grass verges |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Some farmers open up fields for car parking during peak season. A Dales Visitor Guide which advises visitors on environmentally positive behaviour has been published |
| Problems | Footpaths have been eroded, particularly in the areas around Malham Cove and Gordale Scar |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Surfacing busy paths and building steps up the side of Malham Cove, to prevent further erosion |
| Problems | Litter detracts from the appearance of the area |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Litter bins have been removed, in the hope that visitors will take litter home |
| Problems | House prices in the area increase, partly because of incomers wishing to live there and partly because of the demand for second homes; first-time buyers are unable to get onto the property ladder |
|---|---|
| Solutions | National Government offers help to first-time buyers through affordable home ownership schemes |
| Problems | Areas begin to look artificial as tourist facilities, signs and man-made walkways are constructed |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Developing a wider spread of 鈥榟oneypot鈥 areas, and the local authority can refuse planning permission for new unsightly developments that conflict with the aims of the National Park |
Conflict 2: tourists v industry
| Problems | Solutions |
| Quarries are eyesores on the landscape and spoil the natural beauty of the area | National Park Authorities can insist on companies screening quarries behind trees to reduce visual pollution, eg Ingleton Quarry |
| The large lorries needed to remove the quarried stone cause vast amounts of air pollution | Promoting rail transport, eg upgrading the rail facilities at Swinden Quarry near Skipton. Covering the lorries helps to reduce dust |
| Lorries moving quarried rock cause traffic congestion on narrow country roads | The movement of trucks can be restricted to certain times of the day |
| The blasting of rocks causes noise pollution | Blasting can be restricted to certain times of the day |
| Some wildlife habitats may also be destroyed | Nature reserves can be located away from quarries to protect wildlife, eg Yellands Meadow Nature Reserve |
| Quarries can leave a scarred landscape when they are finally abandoned | Ensuring the restoration of quarries, eg they can be filled in and landscaped, or turned into a lake or nature reserve |
| Problems | Quarries are eyesores on the landscape and spoil the natural beauty of the area |
|---|---|
| Solutions | National Park Authorities can insist on companies screening quarries behind trees to reduce visual pollution, eg Ingleton Quarry |
| Problems | The large lorries needed to remove the quarried stone cause vast amounts of air pollution |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Promoting rail transport, eg upgrading the rail facilities at Swinden Quarry near Skipton. Covering the lorries helps to reduce dust |
| Problems | Lorries moving quarried rock cause traffic congestion on narrow country roads |
|---|---|
| Solutions | The movement of trucks can be restricted to certain times of the day |
| Problems | The blasting of rocks causes noise pollution |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Blasting can be restricted to certain times of the day |
| Problems | Some wildlife habitats may also be destroyed |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Nature reserves can be located away from quarries to protect wildlife, eg Yellands Meadow Nature Reserve |
| Problems | Quarries can leave a scarred landscape when they are finally abandoned |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Ensuring the restoration of quarries, eg they can be filled in and landscaped, or turned into a lake or nature reserve |