News Archive
14 September 2007: Government told to ‘address concern’ about military training in National Parks
CNP has welcomed the Defence Committee’s report, published today, into the work of Defence Estates, which calls on the Ministry of Defence to set out how it will address concerns about the potential for rationalisation of the defence training estate to lead to intensified use of National Parks for military training.
For more information see the press release
13 September 2007: "National Parks can boost national well being" campaigners tell Conservative review group
CNP has welcomed the publication of the final report of the Quality of Life Policy Group, which will inform the future policy direction of the Conservative Party. The report covers many important issues and does not shy away from recommending radical solutions to modern environmental challenges.
CNP particularly welcomes the recognition that it is impossible to place an economic value on many of our environmental assets, for example the enjoyment of the 29 million annual visitors to the Peak District National Park. CNP's recent report Prosperity and Protection supports this but also shows that as well as being wonderful places that millions of people visit, National Parks bring prosperity for businesses in around them.
For more information see the press release
24 August 2007: A47 dyke removal threat to wildlife
Environmental campaigners have expressed concern over Government’s plans to investigate a trial site for dyke relocation alongside the A47 Acle Straight, within the Broads Executive Area. The Council for National Parks (CNP) and Transport 2000 say that any decision to go ahead with a trial should only be taken once alternative small-scale road safety solutions have been tried and tested. Monitoring of road safety measures only recently put in place will not be complete until summer 2008.
For more information see the press release
23 August 2007: Government urged to boost green access to National Parks
CNP is calling on the government to support the many pioneering solutions to transport issues in National Parks, being promoted by the National Park Authorities and other key partners in England and Wales. The schemes, often directly funded by the Park Authorities, encourage people to find alternative ways of getting to and around the Parks while leaving the car at home. Government support is vital if green access to the Parks is to be improved.
For more information see the press release
21 August 2007: Giant South Downs Wind Turbine: Government intervenes
CNP and several other countryside organisations have welcomed the government’s decision to call-in the application for a 230-foot wind turbine at Glyndebourne in the South Downs, in a location which forms part of the designated National Park.
For more information see the press release
09 August 2007: More aircraft over New Forest is 'plane stupid' say Park campaigners
CNP and the New Forest Association have joined forces to object to a proposal to expand airspace over a large section of the New Forest National Park, which threatens to destroy the peace and quiet of England’s newest National Park.
Coupled with plans to grow Bournemouth airport, and to more than treble passenger numbers at Southampton airport over the next 23 years, this increased air traffic will blight people’s enjoyment of the New Forest, as well as the quality of life of people living within the area.
For more information see the press release
17 July 2007: Ben Fogle to fight National Park cause
Ben Fogle becomes the new President of the Council for National Parks (CNP) tomorrow, following in the footsteps of Brian Blessed who has been President for the last 6 years.
Ben took this opportunity to highlight the 60th anniversary of the Hobhouse report to government recommending the South Downs be designated a National Park.
For further information see the press release
12 July 2007: Countryside organisations vow to continue fight against giant turbine
Leading countryside organisations have vowed to continue their campaign to protect the South Downs from a giant wind turbine on Mill Plain, above Glyndebourne. This promise follows the news that Lewes District Council wants to grant permission for an industrial scale wind turbine at Glyndebourne Opera House in the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The organisations are calling for a public inquiry into this proposed development, to consider fully the implications of building such a huge structure on such a sensitive and prominent part of the South Downs.
For further information see the press release
4 July 2007: Brian says goodbye as battle for Downs continues
A celebratory walk to thank the actor adventurer Brian Blessed as he steps down as President of CNP is taking place on 8 July in the South Downs, 60 years after it was first proposed as a National Park. CNP is a member of the South Downs Campaign which has organised the walk in conjunction with the Ramblers’ Association.
The government has published a further consultation on the designation of the South Downs as a National Park, including the report of the independent inspector at the public inquiry which ran from November 2003 to March 2005. The inspector has recommended that the South Downs National Park should be confirmed and that an additional 25km2 should be included within the boundary but the Northern boundary changed to exclude a large chuck of the Low Weald in Hampshire and West Sussex.
For further information see the press release
25 June 2007: Campaigners call for A628 public inquiry delay to assess Highways Agency surprise new evidence
CNP, along with other major environmental and amenity groups, has been forced to call for a delay to the long awaited public inquiry into the proposed Mottram/Tintwistle bypass and A628 upgrade due to begin on Tuesday 26th June. This will allow all parties involved the opportunity to scrutinise substantial new evidence submitted by the Highways Agency.
The new evidence makes many amendments and corrections to the Agency's already submitted Environmental Statement, which contained errors including the omission of numerous sites of historical interest and potential noise impacts that had been estimated using an incorrect factor.
For more information see the press release
19 June 2007: CNP welcomes a government consultation which could improve access to National Park coastlines in England
Defra has launched a consultation on improving access to the English coast http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/coast-access/index.htm.
Government had requested Natural England's advice on how to best deliver these improvements, and its advice has also been published http://www.naturalengland.gov.uk/leisure/access/default.htm
The consultation considers four options for improving delivery of coastal access - 1) Use of the Highways Act; 2) Use of the CROW Act; 3) Use of voluntary measures; 4) New primary legislation. Natural England's advice is that new primary legislation is needed, to enable Natural England to create a "coastal access corridor" and the consultation seeks views on this.
14 June 2007: New report highlights success of National Parks in conserving landscape quality
CNP has welcomed a new report published by Natural England about how the English landscape is changing. Most English National Park landscapes are amongst areas which are being maintained and enhanced according to the report, which identifies where changes to the quality of landscape are occurring and the significance of these changes.
For more information see the press release
22 May 2007: Planning white paper: bad for the environment, bad for communities
CNP and other environmental and social organisations have united to fight damaging government proposals to reform the planning system. The Planning White Paper aims to speed up the planning process for major infrastructure projects like airports, power stations and roads. The proposals would cut local communities out of major planning decisions and spell disaster for valuable habitats and landscapes. The coalition intends to fight these proposals over the coming months.
For more information see the press release
14 May 2007: Leading countryside organisations unite to fight giant South Downs turbine
CNP has formed a coalition with three other leading countryside organisations to oppose the industrial-scale wind turbine proposed by Glyndebourne Productions Ltd in the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The coalition believes that the 230 foot turbine would destroy the views of the eastern part of the South Downs.
CNP supports the development of renewable energy but considers that this should be of an appropriate scale and location, especially in an area that is destined for National Park status. There are a number of domestic wind turbines of around 40-50ft in National Parks and AONBs, but this proposal would be unprecedented.
For more information see the press release
27 April 2007: CNP welcomes Backdale public inquiry victory
CNP is delighted with the ruling following a public inquiry that quarrying operations at Backdale Quarry are unlawful. A Planning Inspector ruled that the current ratio of limestone to fluorspar extraction from Backdale Quarry was an unacceptable 91:1 and that this should not exceed a ratio of 2:1. This will mean tighter controls on working at what is probably the most controversial quarry operation in a National Park.
For more information see the Peak District National Park Authority's press release or visit http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/backdale
02 April 2007: Opposition to bypass should cause a rethink, say National Park campaigners
Friends of the Peak District, the Council for National Parks, Save Swallow’s Wood and Alternative Proposals for Transport have reiterated their objection to the proposed Mottram-Tintwistle bypass because of the damage that this would cause to the Peak District National Park, including from increased traffic flows as traffic diverts from the M62 onto the A628 as a result of the bypass. They have called for the public inquiry into the bypass to be cancelled and alternative measures implemented immediately.
For more information see our press release
30 March 2007: Campaigners welcome Broads' in-house planning service
CNP has hailed the Broads Authority’s new in-house planning service as a positive move which will help deliver sustainable development and provide a consistent and accessible planning service across the whole of the Broads.
For more information see our press release
28 March 2007: Community spirit helps protect National Park
CNP has welcomed the decision by members of the Brecon Beacons Park Authority to refuse to safeguard sand and gravel deposits in its development plan. This is a victory for a partnership of local Community Councils and CNP, which had consistently argued against the inclusion of the policy.
For more information see our press release
23 March 2007: Mottram Tintwistle bypass doubles in cost - time for a rethink
A government commissioned report has revealed that the costs of the A628 Mottram to Tintwistle Bypass have more than doubled since the scheme was initially approved. Save Swallow's Wood, Friends of the Peak District, WAIT and the Council for National Parks, said the rising costs were an opportunity for the government to call a halt to the imminent public inquiry and pause for a rethink before more public funds are committed.
For more information see our press release
21 March 2007: Windermere speed limit thumbs up
CNP has given the thumbs up to the decision by members of the Lake District National Park Authority to turn down a request to look at a 'managed solution' for Windermere. This idea had previously been considered at a public inquiry but rejected as it would be too complex to manage.
For more information see our press release
For more information on enjoying Windermere see http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/index/enjoying/windermere.htm
19 March 2007: New guidance for Welsh National Parks
CNP has welcomed a new Policy Statement for the National Parks in Wales, which was launched today.
The Statement sets out a strategic agenda for the National Park Authorities (NPAs) in taking forward the Welsh Assembly Government’s social inclusion and sustainable development objectives, and provides guidance on how they can help tackle the causes of climate change.
For more information see our press release
01 March 2007: Dartmoor campaign-groups urge National Park Authority to back call for an independent inquiry into military training on Dartmoor
The Dartmoor Preservation Association and the Council for National Parks have called on members of the Dartmoor National Park Authority to back their call for a public inquiry into military training on Dartmoor. The authority will discuss military training on Dartmoor at its meeting on Friday 2 March.
For further information see our press release
28 February 2007: CNP welcomes international boost for UK landscapes
CNP welcomes the European Union’s European Landscape Convention (ELC), which comes into force in the UK on 1st March, 2007. This welcome move means that landscape should get more recognition in day-to-day decision making in the UK. Landscape, be it the one outside our windows or our most celebrated and iconic scenery like National Parks, is something which affects us all, helps give us a local and national identity, and needs special care and protection.
See CCW's press release for further info http://www.ccw.gov.uk/news/index.cfm?action=Press&ID=909&lang=en
19 February 2007: National Park Authorites urged to reject latest plans for Mottram Tintwistle Bypass
Countryside watchdogs Friends of the Peak District (FPD) and the Council for National Parks, and local groups Save Swallows Wood and Alternative Proposals for Transport are calling on the Peak District National Park Authority to stand by its responsibilities as guardian of the National Park and reject the latest road-building plans for the A628.
See press release for further information
7 February 2007: Compensation fears for Backdale 'unfounded' say National Park campaigners
Fears that revoking the quarry permission covering Backdale and Longstone Edge in the Peak District National Park would result in the opening of a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of compensation claims from quarry owners in other National Parks were unfounded, Friends of the Peak District and the Council for National Parks claimed on the eve of the public inquiry into unauthorised limestone quarrying at Backdale.
Please see the press release for further information.
7 February 2007: Gas pipeline to cross Brecon Beacons
CNP has expressed grave concern about the Government's decision to allow a major gas pipeline to cross the Brecon Beacons.
Although CNP welcomes the stringent environmental conditions being placed on National Grid, CNP questions the strategic planning behind this decision. This decision will be an unwelcome 50th birthday present for the Brecon Beacons National Park. Millions of people visit the National Parks to enjoy their natural beauty and seek spiritual refreshment. Allowing major energy-infrastructure projects such as this gas pipeline in National Parks will change their character and undermine their role as jewels in the countryside's crown.
Future UK energy policy should play to the strengths of National Parks and respect their special qualities and not see them as obstacles to be overcome.
Please see the press release for further information.
12 January 2007: Wild but not free
CNP has published new research which assesses the impacts of military training on National Parks. The research calls for an independent inquiry and recommends ways in which the impact on the Parks could be reduced.
Whilst CNP accepts the need for military training, it questions whether all training that happens in National Parks is necessary and whether military intensification in National Parks is acceptable.
For further information read the press release or download the reports
Wild but not free: military training in National Parks
A continuing need? Military training and the Dartmoor National Park
11 December 2006: National Parks are big money-spinners!
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 or the full report.
27 November 2006
The Broads Bill has been deposited in Parliament. The Bill will help to improve safety, management and navigation in the Broads. The Broads Authority Bill will give the will give the Authority new navigation powers to ensure safety on the Broads as well as powers to license hire boats, apply a national safety scheme and control pollution.
7 November 2006
CNP welcomes the publication of new government guidance on quarrying in England. The government has made it clear that large quarry developments will not be allowed in National Parks, unless there are exceptional reasons such as a national need.
For a list of CNP press releases click here