Putting the national back into National Parks

13 July 2002

The national charity the Council for National Parks (CNP) ⁽¹⁾ has warmly welcomed the publication of the Government’s Review ⁽²⁾ of National Parks in England ⁽³⁾,which promises a new vision, based on putting the ‘national’ back into National Parks.

The Minister for Rural Affairs the Rt Hon Alun Michael MP launched the Review ⁽⁴⁾ at CNP’s conference in Southampton this weekend. He said: "Our National Parks are national assets: environmentally, socially and economically. If we are to hand them on in good shape to future generations, we need to care about all three together".

The Review recommends more than 50 actions including:

 Publishing a new Government vision for National Parks
 Keeping as they are the Parks’ purposes of conservation and public enjoyment
 Maintaining Parks’ planning and development control responsibilities
 Increasing the proportion of national members while ensuring that the majority continue to come from local areas
 Introducing an independent chairman
 Giving higher priority to promoting understanding of National Parks and to sustainable tourism

CNP Vice President Sir Chris Bonington said: "The publication of this Review is timely as it follows hot on the heels of last week’s announcement about the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, which has focused our minds on the future of the countryside.

"National Parks are vitally important to the nation’s well being and I am delighted that the Minister has pledged to put the ‘national’ back into National Parks. We welcome the plans to improve the working of National Park Authorities including the introduction of independent chairmen, more national members and limiting the number of members on Authorities to aid efficient decision-making.

"We strongly support the recognition of the important role that planning powers play in delivering National Park purposes and would draw this to the attention of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as it prepares to announce the way forward for the future of the planning system".

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 objective of the Review of National Parks was to make recommendations to DEFRA Ministers on any improvements that could usefully be made to the workings of the National Park Authorities and the Broads Authority, the framework within which they operate and their relationships with partners and other stakeholders.
3 There are 8 members of the National Parks family in England: the Broads, Dartmoor, Exmoor, North York Moors, Peak District, Lake District, Northumberland and the Yorkshire Dales.
4 The Minister for Rural Affairs, the Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, launched the findings of the Review of National Park Authorities in Southampton on 13 July at the Council for National Parks conference on National Parks in the 21st century.

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