Lake District National Park Authority chief executive Richard Leafe at this year's Kendal Mountain Festival. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
The boss of the Lake District national park said social media reports of his impending resignation are ‘fake news’ and he will not be leaving his post.
Richard Leafe, chief executive of the Lake District National Park Authority was replying to a Twitter post implying he was thinking of stepping down.
Mr Leafe has been in charge of the Lake District authority for more than 12 years.
A post by #ZipOff Lakes Watch yesterday said: “Sources in Murley Moss [the site of the national park offices] inform us @LakesChief is considering stepping down in the New Year.
“If true, the supporter of theme park zip wires, cable cars, & pods in the National Park will be gone, and the #lakedistrict will be free of #Richardtatorship.”
The Twitter feed from the #ZipOff Lakes Watch feed
The feed was set up initially to oppose the planned zipwire across the Thirlmere reservoir, the application for which was withdrawn in February 2018.
Mr Leafe has also come under fire from the site and others in the Lake District for recent decisions by the authority he leads, including the laying of asphalt on the track between Keswick and Threlkeld; support for the abortive plans to charge for wild camping; proposals for a chairlift at Whinlatter Forest and the decision to continue to allow motor vehicles to use two unsurfaced roads in Little Langdale.
The authority posted a reply to the #ZipOff Lakes Watch tweet, saying: “This is not true and a disgusting personal attack on one of our National Park officers. This post has been reported to Twitter.”
And a short time later, Mr Leafe replied to the tweet himself, saying: “I am not resigning. This is fake news.
“I’m passionate about working with my dedicated staff and volunteers to look after this special place today and for the future.”
Richard Leafe was appointed chief executive of England’s largest national park in July 2007. He was previously a regional director of Natural England, the Westminster government’s advisory body on the outdoors.
Virginia Castick
12 December 2019It's time Richard Leafe left. His awful commercial ideas for the National Park are at odds with what National Parks are about. I hope it turns out to be true
TH
12 December 2019Time to go Leafe, you're a disgrace. Give all the lovers of the Lake District an early Christmas present by resigning.
You've been too closely associated with several commercial companies operating in the Lakes on various different committees and organisations.
I hope you're feeling the pressure and make the correct decision.
TH
12 December 2019Leafe is obviously feeling the pressure and knows he's about to be found out with his dodgy commercial associations with leisure companies operating in the National Park.
Give the lovers of the Lake District an early Christmas present Richard by resigning now.
Please support the cause to rid the LDNP of 4x4s by contributing to this:
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/green-lanes-environmental-action/
EDWARD
14 December 2019Let's hope that Richard stays in his current position, as he is a breath of fresh air, with his forward thinking ideas balanced with a measured view of both sides of peoples views on delicate matters that arise in our LDNP. He is the perfect foil for that small group of 'no- joyers', who demand that the LD should remain static, with nary a tilt towards the views of others, who see the LD as a place that can supply joy and entertainment to the majority, without enveloping it in a grey, drab mire of mouldy outdated views.
More power to your elbow Mr Leife.
TH
14 December 2019Edward:
Nothing static about the increase of cars using the High Tilberthwaite to Little Langdale track.
30 per month in 2002/04, 163 in 2017/18.
EDWARD
14 December 2019TH, a wonderful example of how the lakes can be enjoyed by all, the route you illustrate, like the Matterdale to St John's byway allows off road devotees to enjoy their sport on a rugged and ancient mountain road, whilst walkers and runners etc, can make their mark on the several hundred more suitable tracks in the area so that never the twain shall meet, unless on side is just after a bloody minded argument.
Timbo
16 December 2019"Nothing static about the increase of cars using the High Tilberthwaite to Little Langdale track.
30 per month in 2002/04, 163 in 2017/18."
So 1 a day to 5 a day. Hardly overrun with use.
Jarvis Dupont
30 December 2019Edward,
So right man, you're on the money! Richard knows that we must stuff these mouldy, drab white cisgender fossils back where they came from. How dare the 'no joyers' try to stop the zip wires, gondolas, chairlifts, motor boat hotels, tarmacked paths, helicopter rides and truck races that bring such pleasure to the excluded! The LDNP needs to be a place of entertainment for all and we should stop wasting time on those outdated grey middle-class moaners who think that people only come to the LDNP for the peace, heritage, wild landscapes and natural beauty. These people are stuck in the nineteenth century.
More power to Richard and his determination to change the LDNP for good!
Jarvis x
David
30 December 2019This week's astonishing virtue signalling is causing a huge furore. Already on borrowed time, surely Mr Leafe should blow away.