A Peak Park boss has admitted it is likely there would be more affordable housing in the national park if more authority members lived in the Peak District.
But Peak District National Park Authority chief executive Jim Dixon said the influence of members from outside the area was vital to preserve its unique landscape.
At the Northern Area Community Forum meeting on Monday, one of the main issue resid
ents raised was the lack of affordable housing in the area.
Asked about the effect of outside parties on planning decisions, Mr Dixon said: "If we had more people who live in the area sitting on the national park authority would we have more affordable housing? Probably.
"Would we be the important authority that makes hard decisions for future generations? Probably not," he said.
But Bakewell resident David Walker asked if Mr Dixon was suggesting national park residents cared less about their environment than those from outside.
Mr Dixon said: "There's a balance to be struck between the needs of protecting the landscape, the heritage and the local people.
"It's one of the areas where the national park has been responsive to local need and the answer is not to cover the area in excessive amounts of housing."
Of the national park authority's 30 members, 16 of them – including the chairman and vice chairman – live outside the Peak District.
The Department of Environment is consulting residents to help decide the best way to select authority members.
The national park has discussed the issue and voted to back the current electoral process.
But environment secretary Hilary Benn has given residents until November 28 to give their views.
To take part in the consultation
click here.
