Statement from the Council for National Parks on Bluestone

24 November 2005

 "While this is the end of the road on Bluestone the fight to protect National Parks will go on", said Council for National Parks (CNP) (1) chairman Kate Ashbrook today, as CNP issued the following statement.  This was in response to the disappointing news that the House of Lords had decided not to hear a final appeal on the decision to allow the construction of a major holiday village in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (2).

 "The Law Lords' decision does not mean that they either supported or objected to the Bluestone development, merely that they declined to look at the legal issues raised in CNP's petition to them.

 "I have been asked whether taking the Bluestone case to the courts was worth it.  The trustees of the Council for National Parks are unanimous in their view that this was the right course of action for CNP to take.  It wasn't without its challenges, including financial, but if CNP is to be true to its mission of watching over and protecting the National Parks then it must fight to defend them, including in the courts if this is necessary".

CNP Head of Policy Ruth Chambers added: "we are tremendously grateful to many of our partners who supported us in opposing this development, especially the Campaign to Protect Rural Wales and the Friends of Pembrokeshire National Park.  We are also indebted to our legal team who gave their time for nothing and have been magnificent throughout.

"We remain of the view that a development as large as Bluestone, and that will damage the environment and peace and quiet of the National Park, is not appropriate in the National Parks if they are to have a viable future as our most protected and valued landscapes.  We are committed to fighting any future major threats to the Parks with the vigour and energy which we used to resist the Bluestone development.

"The most disappointing part of the Bluestone story has been the failure of those with responsibility under statute to protect the National Park.  National Park Authorities are charged with conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the National Parks and protecting them for the nation and we will continue to watch over the Authorities and work closely with them to support them in this task.

"We will also continue our work to persuade politicians and other key decision makers that the National Parks are environmental and economic assets both to the people of England and Wales and to UK plc.  Politicians who do not respect this are in danger of undermining the huge public support which the National Parks enjoy".

Notes to Editors

1.              CNP 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 part of the Bluestone development in the Pembrokeshire Coast comprises 340 timber lodges, a brand new "village", sports club and sewage-treatment works.

Contact:  Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy, 020 7924 4077 ext. 222

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