Can they be serious? Extending the Yorkshire Dales into Lancashire?

Natural England’s proposals to increase the national park’s size by almost 25 per cent have been recommended for the go-ahead at a meeting of its board on Wednesday. It will then decide whether to make the final recommendations in the long-running saga to the Secretary of State for approval.

The project has already cost more than £150,000, despite Natural England facing £40m in cutbacks.

Coun John Blackie, the leader of Richmondshire District Council and a vocal critic of the plans, said: “This is the wrong recommendation at the wrong time.

“We simply cannot afford such an extravagance in the age of austerity.

“This also goes against all local communities’ views. This would be a complete travesty in terms of local democracy.”

Coun John Weighell, the leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said: “The countryside that they are extending into is different to the hills and moors of the Dales.

“It will dilute the character of the Dales although it cannot take it away.”

Natural England is looking to include beauty spots in Cumbria and Lancashire within the boundaries of the national park.

While it already includes a large chunk of Cumbria, it would be the first time that a small part of Lancashire would be included.

The national park would increase in size from 680 square miles to 842 square miles as a result.

Natural England says it has undergone detailed assessments and consultation of the plans and the economic, social and recreational benefits they will bring.