3.64 Research conducted in 1992 led to an
estimate that annual visitor expenditure in Eden amounts to £132
million resulting in a contribution of £33 million to the economy
of Eden. 3,960 jobs resulted from tourism activity in the District
and, having regard to strategic policies which aim to disperse
tourism pressures away from the centre of the Lake District
National Park, it is probable that this figure will continue to
grow. Two particular major projects have been granted planning
permission in recent years which serve to illustrate the potential
for major job growth. Between them the proposed visitor centre at
Slapestones on the A66 and the holiday village development proposed
for Whinfell Forest will generate several hundred jobs.
3.65 Whilst the economic benefits of tourism are
significant, it must be accepted that the industry can impose costs
on local communities and the environment. The interrelationship
between the quality of the environment and the demand for tourism
must be recognised and care taken to ensure that quality is
preserved. It is considered that, with careful management, the
industry can be developed in a manner which will address the needs
of local communities and the local environment whilst at the same
time allowing for an appropriate level of growth.
3.66 The above issues are addressed in a recent
Department of Employment report entitled "Tourism and the
Environment: Maintaining the Balance". This lays down a number of
principles aimed at ensuring an acceptable, enduring, level of
development within the industry. The report embraces the concept of
sustainable tourism, which acknowledges that short term
exploitation of resources cannot lead to long term benefits.
Rather, it is through the maintenance of resources over time that
activities can be sustained and long term benefits accrue to the
community. A number of principles aimed at ensuring sustainability
in tourism development are suggested in the report and summarised
below:
- The environment has an intrinsic value which outweighs its
value as a tourism asset. Tourism must not be allowed to damage
this resource, prejudice its future or bring about unacceptable
impacts.
- Tourism should be viewed as a positive activity of potential
benefit to the community and the place as well as the visitor.
- Tourism developments should respect the scale, character, and
nature of their local environments. Harmony should be sought
between the needs of the visitor, the place, and local
communities.
3.67 This approach is consistent with that
adopted by Eden Tourism, incorporated into the mainstream
responsibilities of the District Council in August 1992. Eden
Tourism exists to promote tourism in Eden in a manner that is
compatible with the District's outstanding environmental quality
and the needs of local communities.
3.68 The District Council has, through its
tourism responsibilities, endorsed the principles of sustainable
development and the policies within the Local Plan seek to work
with the tourism strategy. In this way it is envisaged that growth
can be promoted within the tourist industry whilst avoiding
problems such as overcrowding, traffic congestion, environmental
degradation, or conflicts with the local community.
3.69 Further support for sustainable tourism is
found in the Structure Plan, which stresses the need for tourist
developments to relate to a local economic need, and to foster the
visitor's understanding and enjoyment of the County's environment
and heritage. It further states that the environmental quality of
the County should not be prejudiced in the longer term by such
developments. The Regional Development Strategy for Cumbria,
published by the Cumbria Tourist Board, includes more commercially
oriented objectives set within a compatible context. For example,
the Strategy identifies the need to protect the region's
environment and heritage and to support traditional local
industries including agriculture. This Council's tourism strategy
and the policies set out below are compatible with this regional
context.
3.70 Having regard to the foregoing issues, and
to the general plan principles set out at the beginning of this
document, a number of objectives have been identified for that part
of Local Plan dealing with tourism development. These are set out
below whilst the following paragraphs detail the associated
policies and supporting text.
Objective 22 to facilitate
appropriate tourism development in order to strengthen and
diversify the local economy, especially within the agricultural
sector.
Objective 23 to promote the
principles of sustainable tourism by seeking to maximise social and
economic benefits in a manner which is acceptable to the local
community and does not prejudice the local environment.
Objective 24 to exercise
special control over larger scale tourism developments in order to
minimise impact on the environment and on local communities.
Objective 25 to enhance the
range and quality of tourism accommodation and visitor
understanding of the area.
