Visible Communities’ Use and Perceptions of the North York Moors and Peak District National Parks: a policy guidance document for the National Park Authorities

This report is based on the findings of a four-year PhD study undertaken at the University of Durham. The principle aims of the research were to explore visible communities‟ use and perceptions of the English National Parks. The report concentrates on policy recommendations (section III), constructed from an overarching analysis of the relevant academic literature, review of previous and current initiatives involving visible communities in the National Parks, and empirical fieldwork consisting of quantitative and qualitative research. However, the policy suggestions draw particularly from that part of the research carried out with people from visible community backgrounds. Two interim reports were produced, which focused on visible community responses to questionnaire and interview surveys. Summaries of the interim reports can be found in section II of this report. This Executive Summary concentrates on policy recommendations, and addresses three aspects of policy: - the need for specific policy shifts regarding visible community visitors; - overarching approaches to such policy suggested by the research; and - specific proposals for action.