Government blurs Park boundaries

5th November 2003

Proposed new government guidelines (1) for renewable energy threaten to blur the protection offered by National Park boundaries, warns the National Parks watchdog the Council for National Parks (CNP) (2).

CNP's Head of Policy Ruth Chambers said: "lack of clarity in the new guidelines could see the countryside surrounding National Parks covered in massive energy developments, right up to Park boundaries".

"The draft guidelines fail to recognise the importance of the countryside surrounding National Parks and the contribution that this makes to their setting.  Huge industrial developments right up to Park boundaries would have a major impact on people living in and visiting the Parks.  We will be urging the Government to rethink the guidelines in order to give the Parks and their settings the clarity of protection they need".

Ruth Chambers concluded: "The Government has recently (3) reiterated the environmental and economic importance which it attaches to the Parks.  This strong commitment needs to be fully reflected in its emerging Planning Policy Statements.  If the Government is serious about its commitment to National Parks then the importance of the countryside immediately surrounding them should be properly recognised".

Notes to Editors

1.              The consultation draft of Planning Policy Statement 22 was issued today by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and is available at:

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_planning/documents/page/odpm_plan_025517.hcsp

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.              Speech by Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael to the ANPA conference in Brecon which can be viewed at:

 http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/ministers/speeches/am031003a.htm

For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222