Latest News from CNP
11 July 2008: First ever giant wind turbine in a National Park is to be built
CNP, along with other national and regional environmental groups, has criticised the government’s decision today to grant permission for a giant wind turbine at Glyndebourne in the South Downs. The turbine will be the first industrial-scale turbine ever to be built in a designated National Park.
Ruth Chambers of CNP, a member of the South Downs Environmental Protection Consortium, said “We are hugely disappointed by the government’s decision in this case which our view fails to appreciate the national importance of the South Downs landscape. However, we are heartened by the government’s acknowledgement that the Glyndebourne turbine is a special case because it is a unique enterprise in a unique location. This sends a very clear message to would be turbine developers that in general nationally important landscapes such as the South Downs will be protected from large wind schemes.”
She continued: “It is encouraging that the Secretary of State, in recognising the importance of protecting our finest landscapes, has reiterated the government’s commitment to their protection. However, in his report, the inquiry Inspector has acknowledged the development would have significant adverse impacts on the local countryside and on walkers. Added to this, the Inspector notes that the development will generate low levels of energy. So on many counts, we find the government’s decision very puzzling.”
For more information see the press release
27 June 2008: Major agencies back call for Government to save Peak District from mining devastation
CNP, as part of the Longstone Edge Coalition, has warned the Government to ‘act now’ or lose 350 hectares of irreplaceable landscape forever. This summer marks the five year anniversary that Bleaklow Industries and MMC resumed the mining of a 1952-granted mineral permission at the outstandingly beautiful Longstone Edge in the Peak District National Park.
The coalition has written to the Government urging Defra to provide immediate financial support to the Peak District National Park Authority to halt continued devastation caused by the quarrying. In a letter to the Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn MP, Ruth Chambers, Deputy CEO of CNP has urged the Government to “give the highest priority” to saving Longstone Edge.
For more information see the press release
June 2008: Change of name for CNP to Campaign for National Parks
CNP has changed its name from Council for National Parks to the Campaign for National Parks, with immediate effect. In Welsh the name will change from Cyngor y Parciau Cenedlaethol to Ymgyrch y Parciau Cenedlaethol.
CNP has been aware of the limitations of its name for some years. The word “Council” meant CNP was regularly confused with a local authority and those unfamiliar with CNP’s work assumed we are funded by government. The initials CNP will be retained as these carry weight with those who know and respect CNP's work, but the bread and butter of CNP’s work is, and will continue to be, campaigning for National Parks.
April 2008
Climate change was the focus of a parliamentary reception that CNP held on 1 April in the House of Commons. Hosted by Tom Levitt, MP for High Peak, the event was attended by a number of parliamentarians as well as representatives from the National Parks. See here for more information.
February 2008: South Downs Inquiry Reopens
A public inquiry into the designation of the South Downs National Park reopened in February and CNP, as part of the South Downs Campaign, will be giving evidence. The inquiry will hear new evidence on whether a large area known as the Western Weald should be included within the National Park boundary. CNP believes that its exclusion from the National Park is not justified and that its inclusion within the final park boundary is essential.
February 2008: Green groups fight Glyndebourne wind turbine
CNP has joined forces with other countryside organisations to challenge plans for a giant wind turbine on the South Downs near Glyndebourne at a Planning Inquiry which opened in Lewes this week. The coalition is in favour of renewable energy, but is concerned that this particular turbine would have a seriously damaging visual impact on the Downs and that the turbine is the wrong scheme in the wrong place.
Ruth Chambers, CNP’s Head of Policy, said ‘this raises important national issues as it would be the largest turbine in a National Park in England once the Park comes into being’.
For more information see the press release, an article in the Independent or coverage on Meridian TV
February 2008: Extensions to Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks put on hold
Natural England has announced that it is to defer the public consultation on possible extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. This is because the South Downs Inquiry is considering issues which may have an impact on the designation work in the north-west, for example whether National Parks should contain more than one type of landscape character. The consultation will resume after the South Downs Inquiry has closed and a final decision has been made.
For more information see Natural England’s press release
11 December 2007: Woodhead rail tunnel must be safeguarded
National Grid's plans to run cables through the Woodhead Tunnel could thwart aspirations to improve public transport in the Peak District. Although the tunnel is currently disused, the plans mean that it could not be reopened for freight and passenger trains between Sheffield and Manchester. If reopened this line could eliminate the need for a damaging road through Peak District.
The Campaign for Better Transport is encouraging people to ask their MP to sign a petition to ensure that the Woodhead Tunnel is protected for rail use. See their website for more information.
7 December 2007: Funding increase for English National Park Authorities
CNP has welcomed Defra's announcement that England's National Parks are to receive £9.6 million more over the next three years. Defra's annual grant to the National Parks and the Broads will rise from £44.4 million now to £48.9 million in 2010/11, a ten per cent increase.
For more information see Defra's press release
3 December 2007: National Parks can change people's lives
CNP is holding a reception at the Senedd which will explore how National Parks have changed people's lives. The event will tell the story of the Mosaic Partnership, a flagship project which aims to build stronger links between ethnic minority communities and National Parks and to break down some of the barriers to engagement. Speakers include, fifteen-year-old Community Champion Priya Persaud and broadcaster, presenter and a CNP Vice President Sara Edwards.
For more information see the press release
25 October 2007: South Downs inquiry welcomed
CNP has welcomed today’s announcement by Defra Landscape Minister Jonathan Shaw that the Public Inquiry into the proposed South Downs National Park will reopen in February 2008. As the full terms of reference for the Inquiry are not yet clear, the Inquiry Inspector will be urged to hear evidence on areas which he currently thinks should be excluded from the National Park, such as the western Weald.
The case for granting National Park status to the western Weald is overwhelming. It is a beautiful and iconic landscape with close associations to the chalk hills. Its inclusion would ensure that a South Downs National Park would be big and varied enough to fulfil the needs for quiet recreation and spiritual renewal of the ever-expanding population of the south east.
For more information see the press release
For more information about the Inquiry go to the Defra website at:
www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/issues/landscap/natparks/sdowns/index.htm
10 October 2007: Ben Fogle backs South Downs campaign
Ben Fogle, TV presenter, adventurer and the new President of CNP visited the western Weald, the area threatened by exclusion from the South Downs National Park. He was shown round by the actor and adventurer Brian Blessed now Vice President of the CNP and by members of the South Downs Campaign (SDC).
Ben Fogle is warning that if the western Weald is left out of the National Park, there will be great uncertainty over its future as much of it would be vulnerable to losing its national protection. He is reiterating the warning made by Sir Martin Doughty, Chairman of Natural England, that this could leave the area vulnerable to development.
Ben said:
“This area is incredibly beautiful and surely meets the criteria for inclusion in the South Downs National Park. I cannot understand how anyone can say otherwise. However, the Inquiry Inspector has and as a result this area is under real threat. If we don’t get the western Weald back in the National Park then parts of it could be lost forever. Not only that but if the Inspector’s decision is left unchallenged it has ramifications far beyond the western Weald and for all nationally designated landscapes.”
For more information see the press release
1 October 2007: New powers for National Park Authorities to protect green lanes
CNP has welcomed new powers for National Park Authorities in England to make Traffic Regulation Orders to control the use of motor vehicles on rights of way. The new powers have been introduced in response to concerns about the impact that recreational motor vehicles such as four wheel drives and trail bikes can have on the conservation and enjoyment of some National Parks.
For more information see the press release
For a list of CNP press releases click here
For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222