June 12th, 2006
Dales Biking Centre Bid Opposed
The Swaledale branch of the CPRE are asking the Yorkshire Dales National Park to oppose plans by a local couple running a local cycle hire and leadership business to extend their facilities because it would allegedly “detract from a conservation area”.
I suspect that the demographics for CPRE supporters broadly matches the uncomeduns* that like to move into these areas once the locals have been driven out.
The Yorkshire Dales Society is also opposing the plans, but already hand-wringing about it’s decision, as if they know in their heart of hearts that they’ve got it wrong:
“In many respects, this application is one that the Yorkshire Dales Society would be anxious to support.”
The conspiracy theorist in me would point out that their President is Mike Harding, infamous rambler, and wannabe comedian.
Both these organisations should take a look around at Swaledale and see what has given it it’s character in the first place.
Lead mining.
Now abandoned.
Now I’m not saying that lead mining is particularly environmentally friendly and should be restarted, and the area is undoubtedly beautiful, but the folk at the CPRE and the YDS should think hard about what they are trying to protect here.
The landscape or local livelihoods?
What is the former without the latter if nothing but a theme park in which the locals have become mere exhibits?
Actually Bez has made the point rather more forcefully:
“It’s a quandary, isn’t it? - do we allow an old building to be used by an environmentally friendly business which not only promotes the value of the countryside but whose very viability relies on the surrounding area being attractive and undeveloped, or do we pickle some rancid old barn so we can take photos of it and stick it in a brochure to attract cretinous farts in their cars to the nearest patch of urban sprawl and build them endless car parks and little cabins selling bits of plasic shite flown in fron China to support their 200 yard wander along the mechanically beaten track?”
Fortunately the local folk at Reeth parish council have a better understanding of the issue than the YDS or the CPRE, well they would wouldn’t they, seeing as they are located in the Dale, not in old London town. They are asking the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to grant permission.
Here’s hoping the Park Authority listen to the locals.
Source: Yorkshire Post Today
*Folk from outside the village/area.
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