“National Parks can boost national well being" campaigners tell Conservative Review Group

13 September 2007

The Council for National Parks (CNP) (1) has welcomed today’s publication of the final report of the Quality of Life Policy Group (2), which will inform the future policy direction of the Conservative Party.

CNP Policy Director Ruth Chambers says, “The Quality of Life report covers many important issues and does not shy away from recommending radical solutions to modern environmental challenges.  We particularly welcome 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”. 

Recent research (3) supports this and but also shows that as well as being wonderful places that millions of people visit, National Parks bring prosperity for businesses in and around them and for the regions in which they are found.

Ruth Chambers continued, “There are striking similarities between the Quality of Life Report and its namesake; the ground-breaking book Blueprint for a Green Economy by David Pearce (4).  This placed “....an emphasis on the ‘quality of life’, on the health of the population, on educational standards and general social well being” in delivering sustainable development.  But since its publication nearly twenty years ago, there has been a fragmentation in government policy making, an over-emphasis on the economy issues often at the expense of social and environmental issues and competition rather than co-operation between political parties on policy issues where common ground should be found.

“In 1945 John Dower the then minister of Town and Country Planning said that “National Parks are….for all who care to refresh their minds and spirits and to exercise their bodies in a peaceful setting of natural beauty”.  In 1937 Dr GM Trevelyan, in arguing the case for National Parks, said that “it is no less essential, for any national health scheme, to preserve for the nation walking grounds and regions where young and old can enjoy the sight of unspoiled nature”.  The importance of National Parks to the nation’s well being, both physical and spiritual, is at least as true as it was in the days of Dower and Trevelyan. 

“A major challenge of the 21st century is to make sure that our lifestyles not only meet our needs for survival but do not compromise the ability of our grandchildren to meet theirs.  National Parks offer an opportunity for positive action.  We are all consumers of National Parks, whether we live in them, visit them or never do either.  Urban lifestyles draw heavily on their resources, including water, minerals and the products of agriculture and forestry.  Yet the connections are rarely made and the impacts hardly perceived.  This must change and we urge the Conservative Party to introduce the following policy commitments in its next manifesto:

• Support for a South Downs National Park which would spread the benefits of National Park designation to the South East of England

• Fully meeting the resource needs of the National Park Authorities

• Continuing the strong planning protection that National Parks enjoy from major developments

• Joined up thinking between government departments which affect the National Parks, particularly health, defence, transport, environment, planning and enterprise

Notes to editors

1. 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.
2. The Quality of Life Policy Group, chaired by John Gummer and Zac Goldsmith, has today published its final report.  For further information see http://www.qualityoflifechallenge.com/
3. A 2006 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.
4. Blueprint for a Green Economy by David Pearce, Anil Markandya and Edward Barbier was first published in 1989.

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