Britain's smallest National Park joins the family
1 March 2005
The 571 square kilometre New Forest National Park - one of Britain's most ancient landscapes - today became a formal member of the National Parks family (1), to the delight of the Council for National Parks (CNP) (2).
With a proposed budget of £3.5 million for its first year, the new National Park Authority is due to be appointed and operating by 1 April 2006 (3).
Welcoming the new park, Donna O'Brien, CNP's lead officer on the New Forest, said: "This is the climax of a lengthy process, begun in 2001, when the government asked the Countryside Agency to consult on the possibility of National Park status for the New Forest. Following a 6 month public inquiry in 2002, the government decided 'in principle' in favour of National Park status in June 2004, subject to boundary considerations which have now been resolved with the inclusion of both land around Fawley power station and the power station itself (4).
"Its small size and position in a fast-developing part of south-east England makes the New Forest landscape particularly vulnerable and in need of the highest level of protection. Inevitably there is some bemusement at the inclusion of the power station in the National Park, while extensive areas of beautiful countryside such as the Avon Valley were disappointingly excluded.
"However, the formal status of the New Forest National Park heralds a new chapter in the protection of sensitive landscapes in south-east England. CNP will be supporting the National Park Authority in protecting the internationally important Forest environment and helping people appreciate and enjoy this unique area. Today's decision provides certainty for all those involved to concentrate on securing the best possible future for the New Forest".
Notes to editors
1. The New Forest becomes the 12th and smallest National Park in England and Wales. The others, and the dates when they were created are: Peak District (1951), Lake District (1951), Snowdonia (1951), Dartmoor (1951), Pembrokeshire Coast (1952), North York Moors (1952), Yorkshire Dales (1954), Exmoor (1954), Northumberland (1956), Brecon Beacons (1957), The Broads (1989). The Broads was created under its own tailor made legislation. For a further briefing see CNP's "Fifteen Forest Facts" available on our website www.cnp.org.uk or from Donna O'Brien on 0207 924 4077 ext.221
2. The Council for National Parks is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales, and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.
3. An announcement was made on 2005/2006 funding for the National Park Authorities and the Broads Authority on 14 January 2005 (see http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050114d.htm). An interim National Park Authority, with appointed members should be in place by 1April 2005, with the full National Park Authority established under section 63 of the Environment Act 1995 on 1 April 2006.
4. The government asked the Countryside Agency to consult on National Park status for the New Forest in 2001 and a public inquiry was held in 2002. Alun Michael the Defra Rural Affairs Minister announced the Government's decision on the proposal for a New Forest National Park on 28 June 2004. Whilst that gave it "in principle" status, further consultation was needed on some minor boundary changes, including whether to include Fawley Power Station to avoid a "polo mint" in the National Park. With the final boundary decision now taken to include the Power Station, the New Forest gained formal National Park status on 1 March 2005. More detail on the establishment process for the New Forest National Park can be found on the New Forest pages of the DEFRA website http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/issues/landscap/newforest/index.htm
Contactt: Ruth Chambers on 020 7924 4077 ext. 222
For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222