CNP gives thumbs up to uplands report

The Campaign for National Parks is delighted at today’s release of the Commission for Rural Communities’ inquiry report into the English uplands. The report rightly recognises the immense contribution that these iconic landscapes, three-quarters of which are designated National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, make to public well-being – and puts their sustainable management and the viability of their communities at the forefront of an agenda for their long-term survival.

CNP has long known that the uplands are special but that they face many threats – from increasingly difficult conditions for traditional farming, limited employment opportunities, and a general decline in access to services that the rest of us take for granted. We are enthused by many of the report’s recommendations to address these problems.

Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy said: “We are particularly supportive of calls for greater investment to support upland farmers and steps to maximise the potential of these areas to act as carbon sinks and ‘at-source’ water management systems. We are very keen to see a comprehensive strategy for the uplands that brings together their environmental, social and economic needs, and which is led by someone who has the vision and influence to implement it.”

CNP would sound a note of caution, however, at the suggestion that National Park Authorities (NPAs) should take on a new statutory purpose to foster the economic and social well-being of their communities, not least because NPAs already have a duty to do this.

Ruth Chambers continued: “While it might be right to open up for discussion the question of how NPAs can best support their local communities to flourish and prosper, we think it is premature to argue for a change to their purposes. They exist to protect and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of these remarkable and precious areas, and to promote opportunities for their understanding and enjoyment. In doing that, NPAs already act as sources of expert and financial support to many of those living within. Any change to the current framework, which we believe works, could have unforeseen consequences and must not be entered into lightly.”

CNP would also urge that very careful consideration be given to the introduction of any new infrastructure, such as telecommunications, to upland areas. Any hasty moves to erect large new masts or related equipment, for example, would clearly undermine the very qualities for which such vast areas of the uplands have been designated. Ruth concluded: “We welcome the desire to see upland communities supported and enabled to get the most out of their surroundings, for their own benefit and for the wider public. But we need to be clear-sighted and creative in the ways that we go about doing this, and be sure to protect what it is that makes upland National Parks so valued.”

Key facts

• Three-quarters of the uplands is designated as a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and 53% of England’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest are in the uplands. Eighty-two per cent of England’s common land is in the uplands
• There are 40 million visitors to England’s upland National Parks each year spending £1.78 billion. Eighty-six per cent of ‘open access’ land in England is in the uplands
• Twenty-five per cent of the total area of woodland and 70% of UK drinking water is sourced from the uplands. At least 200 million tonnes of carbon are stored in peatlands in England’s uplands.
• The uplands and upland fringes cover 17% of England and are home to around 2 million people. There are proportionately fewer residents in the 20-34 age group and more in the over-40 age group than is average for England overall
• Manufacturing and the wholesale and retail trade are the main employers in the uplands (34%). Agriculture and forestry employs only 5.2% of people but agricultural businesses are the second most common, accounting for 16% of businesses in the uplands. Sole trader businesses represent a much greater proportion (25%) of businesses than in England as a whole (16%)

Notes to editors
1. CNP campaigns to protect and promote National Parks for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of all.

2. National Park purposes are to:

• Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Parks
• Promote opportunities for the public understanding enjoyment of the special qualities of the Parks.

3. Policies and decisions that could affect the National Parks have to take these purposes into consideration. In pursuing the purposes, National Park Authorities (NPAs) have a duty to seek to foster the social and economic well-being of their local communities.

4. NPAs are the bodies charged with the achievement of National Park purposes. They are members of the local government family as well as being independent, special purpose authorities established to act in the best interests of the National Parks and to encourage others to do the same.

5. The Commission for Rural Communities’ report, High ground, high potential – a future for England’s upland communities, was published today [15 June 2010] and is available on the CRC website: http://ruralcommunities.gov.uk/2010/06/15/upland-communities-2/