Current campaigns
Presently, CNP is working on a number of campaigns.
Prosperity and Protection
New research commissioned by CNP has shown that National Parks bring prosperity for businesses in and around them and for their region as a whole.
A study of the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and the Peak District National Parks showed they had a positive impact on businesses within Yorkshire and Humber. National Park businesses generate £1.8 billion in sales annually, and visitors to the Parks spend £400 million annually within them and £260 million in the rest of Yorkshire and Humber (for the Peak District, figures relate only to the part in Yorkshire and Humber).
For more information read the press release, the summary leaflet, the exec summary or the full report.
Click here for a background publication prepared to celebrate the 70th anniversary
Campaign for a South Downs National Park
CNP is currently involved in the campaign for the South Downs National Park. More information can be found in the South Downs section
Minerals
In the 1940s, when National Parks were first being mooted, planning permissions for long-term mineral development within these areas were first handed out. Today, the minerals industry continues to have a presence in many of the National Parks in England and Wales.
Large-scale mineral activity conflicts with the purposes of National Parks and CNP has campaigned for a more sustainable use of the mineral resource in National Parks. This means that minerals are only extracted from National Parks where they meet a national need and are without an alternative. Unfortunately this is not the case on a number of the sites.
Currently, quarrying operations at Backdale in the Peak District National Park, are being questioned by the Park Authority, which believes that unauthorised limestone extraction is being carried out. A public inquiry is due to start on 13th February 2007.
For more information about the case and the public inquiry, see www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/longstone-edge
- a question and answer sheet
- media background briefing notes
- proofs of evidence
- the original 1952 planning permission and map
Energy
Climate change is a major threat to our environment and energy use and generation is an important element of this. CNP campaigns for:
- a reduction in the overall use of energy
- greater energy efficiency
- more renewable energy
National Parks can be used for renewable energy resources, as long as they are sensibly sited and at an appropriate scale. National Parks have been involved in a number of renewable energy projects, for example the North York Moors Park-wide Community Renewable Energy project which supports the Upper Esk Energy Group's home energy checks and visits to schools.
To read more information about National Parks and renewable energy click here
Military
Since the 19th Century, remote rural areas have been used for military training and several military training areas are situated within National Parks. They are used for activities such as live firing, low flying and adventure training. Camps and roads have also been developed on National Park land.
There is continuing debate that military presence is in conflict with the purposes of National Parks, particularly the conservation of natural beauty and public enjoyment. Not only can military activity have an impact on the landscape, it often restricts public access and noisy training activities can affect people's enjoyment of National Parks.
CNP understands the need for military training, but works to ensure that its impact on National Parks is controlled and, where possible, reduced.
CNP has now published new research which assesses the impacts of military training on National Parks. The research, which looks at military activity in all National Parks, as well as focusing on Dartmoor, calls for an independent inquiry and makes recommendations on how the impact on the Parks could be reduced.
For more information see the press release or download the following reports:
Wild but not free: military training in National Parks
A continuing need? Military training and the Dartmoor National Park
