A new National Park for the 21st century
28 June 2004
The Council for National Parks (CNP) (1) is celebrating today's historic announcement to confirm the New Forest as the first new National Park in England of the 21st century (2).
CNP's Head of Policy, Ruth Chambers, who gave evidence at the public inquiry, said: "National Park status for the New Forest will give the highest landscape protection to this outstanding area and ensure that the special qualities of the New Forest are conserved and enhanced for future generations to understand and enjoy".
"We warmly welcome the creation of a New Forest National Park Authority which will be able to co-ordinate planning, conservation, recreation and land management in this unique new Park. In particular National Park status should ensure that development respects the character and environment of the New Forest, and that plans for immensely damaging developments such as major road-building are rejected".
"The Inspector who presided over the inquiry has given a thumbs up to the National Park Authority having full planning powers. He recognised in his report that a full National Park planning regime 'is much to be preferred as a means of providing the level and quality of protection sought by most organisations and individuals expressing views to the inquiry' ".
Donna O'Brien, CNP's lead officer on the New Forest said: "CNP has been at the forefront of the campaign for a National Park in the New Forest. This is a historic day for the many people and organisations who have supported the campaign. We warmly welcome the New Forest into the National Parks family (3), and look forward to working with the new Park Authority on a vision for its future".
"However we are disappointed that the western part of the Avon Valley has been deleted from the Park - this is bad news for this area which is important for its landscape and wildlife and at risk from large-scale quarrying. We are also disappointed that the historic settlements of Lymington, Ringwood and Fordingbridge have not been included and that the opportunity for the inclusion of important land on Southampton Water has been lost".
Ruth Chambers concluded: "This announcement is a vital step towards delivering stronger protection for the New Forest. However we believe an important opportunity has been missed to extend this level of protection and all the other benefits that National Park status will bring to a much wider area than that which will be designated by the Government".
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 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 has today announced the Government's decision on the proposal for a New Forest National Park on 28 June 2004. For copies of the Inquiry Inspector's report and maps showing the proposed boundary see
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/issues/landscap/newforest/index.htm or contact Beverley Parr at Defra on 0207 238 6751. The Minister's written statement to Parliament is available at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/ministers/statements/am040628.htm
3. 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
Contact: Ruth Chambers on 020 7924 4077 ext. 222
For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222