⚠️ Archived Content
This page relates to the 2019–2024 National Park Management Plan, which is now archived. For the latest aims and objectives, please visit the 2025–30 Management Plan landing page.
Undertake a 5-year programme of measures to promote the National Park as a place to live for younger, working age households (18-44 years) to help halt the decline in their numbers.
How the local partners are doing on this objective
Progress: The former district councils brought the programme of support to an earlier end than originally planned, prior to local government reorganisation in 2023. The programme included support for improvements to broadband coverage (E1), increasing the amount of housing (F1), running the ‘Great Place: Lakes and Dales project (F5); and, supporting local apprenticeships (E7).
Rationale: The National Park has almost half the national average proportion of younger, working age people (18-44). The District Councils and National Park Authority are working together to develop a range of practical interventions to create new employment and housing opportunities (see section E and objective F1). This will be supported by promotion of the National Park area as a place to live and work. The intention is to try to retain existing working age households and attract new ones from elsewhere in the country.
Lead partners: North Yorkshire Council; Westmorland & Furness Council
Supporting partners: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority; North Yorkshire Council; Westmorland & Furness Council; Lancashire County Council; Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership; York, North Yorkshire & East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership;
Further information: YDNPA – Live in the Dales
Cost over 5 years: £500,000
Funding shortfall: £200,000
Related objectives: A9; B9; E1; E5; E6; E7; E8; E9; F1; F3; F4; F5; F7
Ecosystem services: None
Trade-offs: Attracting more residents and developing housing, new infrastructure and new business will all have impacts on the environment and existing amenities in the National Park. These will be identified and moderated through the application of the policies set out in the Yorkshire Dales Local Plan.
Baseline: No programme.