The overall aim of the study was to reflect on the role of the National Park in rural development based on a discussion of its remit, current initiatives and external relations.

• Project Dates: 2001
• Project Leader: Terry Carroll
• Staff: Terry Carroll, Philip Lowe, Jeremy Phillipson, Marian Raley, Christopher Ray, Angela Tregear and Neil Ward
• Sponsors: Northumberland National Park Authority

In particular the research aimed:

(i) to provide a local definition and profile of the environment/culture economy;

(ii) to appraise the current role of the National Park Authority in rural development and the relationship of its work to other players in the public, private and voluntary sectors; and

(iii) to consider the scope for new initiatives, focussed on the National Park, for supporting and promoting sustainable rural development based on sensitive exploitation of its environmental and cultural assets.

Related publications:

Carroll, T. and Phillipson, J. (2002) Sustaining Living Uplands: the Role of the Northumberland National Park Authority in Rural Development, CRE Research Report 36.