The Lake District’s bid to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Taj Mahal, Great Barrier Reef and Grand Canyon could be scuppered by a string of issues.

A range of problems could throw a spanner in the works in the fight for the Lakes to win World Heritage status.

Officials admit these could include the 50m-high pylons planned to connect the proposed Moorside nuclear power station in west Cumbria to the electricity network.

Even though underground cables are the preferred option by National Grid in the western Lake District, leaving that area of the national park free from pylons for the first time in 50 years, the visual impact from planned nearby giant pylons may play a part in the final decision by Unesco.

Other obstacles viewed by Unesco may include climate change, which could see more flooding disasters like last December’s storms, future changes to farm payments following Brexit - and the high numbers of visitors to the Lakes during the spring and summer.

A Lake District National Park Authority spokesman said: “The Lake District is an evolving landscape.

“Part of our response raises these potential concerns and how we would address them.

“It is then down to Unesco to say whether they are enough of a reason not to award the status.”

However, a statement from the park authority goes on to say that Unesco experts were “clearly impressed” by the nomination and were “very well briefed on some of the potential challenges to the bid”.

Last month, a nomination document was submitted to Unesco, said to provide comprehensive evidence of the case for World Heritage.

This will be followed this New Year by the partnership of 25 organisations working towards the bid answering final questions from Unesco’s experts, before a final decision at the July meeting of the World Heritage Committee, due to be held in Krakow, Poland.

Even though the Lake District’s chocolate box landscapes have bewitched generations, to join the global list of World Heritage Sites, it must demonstrate that it has “outstanding universal value”.

“This means that its significance must be so exceptional that it transcends national borders and be of common importance for all of humanity. A high bar to meet,” said a park authority statement.

“While many locals and visitors already agree that the Lake District is outstanding, Unesco required detailed evidence to prove this and there was a lengthy process of assessment,” added the park authority.

In October, two representatives of a Unesco expert committee visited the Lake District to assess the nomination, meeting farmers, arts organisations and representatives from communities.

“If the Lake District is successful in its bid, there are many potential benefits. Analysis shows that World Heritage Sites attract more cultural tourists who stay longer and spend more in the local economy,” said the national park authority.

“Just a one per cent increase in cultural tourists can mean £20 million for the Cumbrian economy.

“There will be further potential opportunities, for farmers, businesses and communities to use the World Heritage Status to secure investment and supporting marketing.”