Defending the Protected Landscapes Duty
We were successful in strengthening the law to mandate public bodies in England to take action for National Parks and Landscapes. Now we must defend it.
Over 200 signatories calling for stronger protections
Published: 8 October 2025
More than 200 organisations representing charities, businesses, scientists, farmers, and landscape experts from across the UK have written to the Prime Minister urging the Government not to weaken or remove the legal protections for National Parks and National Landscapes.
The letter expresses deep concern over reports that the Government may amend or remove the Protected Landscapes duty under Section 245 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. Signatories warn that such a move would be a significant step back for the nation’s most cherished natural spaces, which are central to Britain’s identity, economy, and public wellbeing.
Dear Prime Minister,
Do not weaken the laws protecting National Parks and National Landscapes
The British public loves our National Parks and National Landscapes. Like you, millions have beloved memories of family holidays and days out enjoying their natural beauty and wildlife. Alongside the NHS, National Parks and National Landscapes are among the most successful and popular British institutions. They were established after the Second World War as part of national renewal, driven by a Labour Government who understood the value of such places for the nation and that the simple joy of beautiful landscapes was part of what makes a good life which should be the right of every citizen, whether they live in a town, city or the countryside.
Now, we understand some in your government intend to significantly weaken protections by amending or removing the protected landscapes duty (s.245 Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023) a move at odds with this proud history and values. Considering such a significant change to the law at the very end of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill process, without any consultation, would undermine parliamentary conventions and public trust, creating serious uncertainty for businesses and public authorities.
Such a change would betray those values and constitute a serious backward step environmentally, socially and economically. National Parks and National Landscapes are enjoyed by 245 million visitors per year, generating at least £36bn in visitor spend. Time spent in these landscapes is scientifically proven to boost physical and mental health (annual savings to the NHS from outdoor exercise is an estimated £8bn). Their natural beauty supports thriving businesses, from local food producers to outdoor recreation, tourism, and green finance.
National Parks and National Landscapes are essential to delivering the UK’s international commitment to protect and manage 30% of land for nature by 2030 and England’s legally binding biodiversity targets. Removing or weakening the legal duty on public bodies to help make these landscapes deliver more for people and for nature will erode what makes them special and undermine their economic and environmental potential.
The health of our environment underpins the health of our economy. Clement Attlee’s post-war Government understood this: it is why they created National Parks and National Landscapes as part of post-war economic renewal, protecting landscapes alongside rapid housebuilding. They understood that people need places to live, and we also need places to thrive, to enjoy, to immerse ourselves in the wonders of nature.
Just ten months ago, your government celebrated 75 years of National Parks and National Landscapes, championing the protected landscapes duty. Reversing course now would set back nature recovery, economic growth, and your government’s historic relationship with these special areas.
We urge you to reconsider.
Yours sincerely
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Rose O’Neill, Chief Executive, Campaign for National Parks Hilary McGrady, Director General, National Trust Beccy Speight, Chief Executive, RSPB Richard Benwell, Chief Executive, Wildlife and Countryside Link Craig Bennett, Chief Executive, The Wildlife Trusts Roger Mortlock, Chief Executive, CPRE, the Countryside Charity Vanessa Rowlands, Chair, National Parks England John Watkins, Chief Executive, National Landscapes Association Paul Ratcliffe, Chief Executive, British Mountaineering Council Kate Ashbrook, General Secretary, Open Spaces Society Ross Maloney, Chief Executive, Ramblers James Blake, Chief Executive, Youth Hostel Association Julia Aglionby, Executive Director, Foundation for Common Land Judy Ling Wong CBE, Honorary President, Black Environment Network Rebecca Wrigley, Chief Executive, Rewilding Britain Tom Usher, Chief Executive, Dartmoor Preservation Association Jonathan Riley, Chair, Friends of the Dales Kate O’Sullivan, Chair, Exmoor Society Michael Hill, Chief Executive, Friends of the Lake District Sarah Nield, Chair, New Forest Association George Winn-Darley, Chair, North Yorkshire Moors Association Dr Mark Collins, Chair, The Broads Society David Green, Chair, Friends of the South Downs Julian Glover OBE, Chair of the Independent Review of Protected Landscapes Professor Sir John Lawton, Chair of Making Space For Nature. Chris Smith, Lord Smith of Finsbury, Former Labour Secretary of State Chris Mullin, Former Labour Secretary of State Guy Shrubsole, campaigner, author of The Lie of the Land and The Lost Rainforests of Britain Mike Bevens, Managing Director, Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Alex Beasley, Regional Manager – Northern Europe, Patagonia Richard Leedham, Chief Executive Officer, Rab Daniel Szor, Founder, Cotswold Distillery Clare Brook, Chief Executive, Blue Marine Foundation Peter Brooke, Chief Executive, British Orienteering Kit Stoner, Chief Executive, Bat Conservation Trust Julie Williams, Chief Executive, Butterfly Conservation Hendrikus van Hensbergen, Chief Executive, Action for Conservation Gill Perkins, Chief Executive, Bumblebee Conservation Trust Paula Brunt, Trustee, Disabled Ramblers Hazel Norman, Chief Executive, British Ecological Society Mark Castle OBE, Chief Executive, Field Studies Council Charles Clover, Chair, Dedham Vale Society James Wallace, Chief Executive, River Action UK Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive, The Rivers Trust Bob Elliot, Chief Executive, Wild Justice |
Craig Macadam, Co-Leader and Director of Conservation, Buglife Professor Alastair Driver, Senior Advisor, Global Rewilding Alliance Dani Jordan, Director of Campaigns and Communities, Surfers Against Sewage Liz Webster, Founder, Save British Farming Richard Hebditch, Coordinator, Better Planning Coalition Professor Jeremy Biggs, Chief Executive, Freshwater Habitats Trust Jason Reeves, Head of Policy, Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management Nadia Shaikh and Jon Moses, co-director of the Right to Roam campaign Lizzie Glithero-West, Chief Executive, The Heritage Alliance Mary-Ann Ochota, Broadcaster and author, President CPRE the countryside charity and Patron, the Ridgeway Trail. Kate Jennings, Co-chair, IUCN-UK Protected Areas Working Group Neil Heseltine, Hill Top Farm and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority board member Howard Davies, Independent Environmental Advisor and member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Professor Kevin J. Gaston, Professor of Biodiversity and Conservation, University of Exeter David Stroud MBE, Former Chair of Ramsar Convention Science Panel Dr Joseph J. Bailey, Senior Lecturer in Ecology & Conservation, Anglia Ruskin University Charlotte A Roberts, Emeritus Professor, Durham University Adrian Phillips, Formerly Director General of the Countryside Commission and Chair of the World Commission of Protected Areas (IUCN), vice-president of Campaign for National Parks. Chris Baines, vice-president, The Wildlife Trusts Lisa Norton, Senior Scientist, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Professor Dame EJ Milner-Gulland, Tasso Leventis Professor of Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Oxford University Professor Rosie Hails MBE, Nature & Science Director, National Trust and University of Exeter Professor Dave Goulson, Professor of Life Sciences, University of Sussex Dr Elaine King, Chief Executive, Chilterns National Landscape Adam King, CEO, Harvey Maps Jørge Bartling, Managing Director, Gear Aid Europe and Gear Aid UK Hannah Worthington, Legal and Managing Director, Astraia Collective David Ekelund, Co-founder and Co-CEO, Icebug AB Christian Schneidermeier, Director, European Outdoor Group Jo Dawson, Chief Executive, HDWool Ltd, H Dawson Wool and Woolkeepers Ltd Martin Esslinger, Chief Executive, OTLIEB Jake Tindall, Head of Marketing, RE ZRO® Mathew Wilkinson, Marketing Manager, Pyranha / P&H / Venture Canoes & Kayaks Paul Robertson, Marketing Manager, Palm Equipment Andrew Wyborn, Director, Hampton Court Paddle Sports Chris Brain, Chris Brain Kayak Coaching Sam Starkie, Director, Vertical Descents Cornwall Sara Jones, Centre Owner/Manager, Rhos y Gwalia Outdoor Education Centre Nick Liley, Centre Director, Bendrigg Trust Tom Beeston, Chief Officer, The Chiltern Society |
Laura Burrows, Chief Executive, Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust Estelle Bailey MBE, Chief Executive, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust Brian Eversham, Chief Executive Officer, The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire Julian Woolford, Chief Executive, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Jason Reeves, Head of Policy, Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management Paul Coulson, Chief Executive, Institute of Fisheries Management Kathy Wormald, Chief Executive, Froglife Nicola Hutchinson, Director of Conservation/Deputy Chief Executive, Plantlife David Fleetwood, Director of Land and Policy, John Muir Trust Nick Collinson, Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape Partnership Chair Cllr Andrew Reid, Chair, Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape Joint Advisory Committee Cllr Chris McFarling, Chair, Wye Valley National Landscape Partnership Cllr Richard Jefferies, Chair, East Devon National Landscape Management Partnership Matthew Arnold, Trust Operations Manager, East Yorkshire Rivers Trust Stuart Fraser, Director, Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre Sarah Carr, Chief Executive, Nature Watch Foundation Claire Bass, Senior director of campaigns and public affairs, Humane World for Animals UK Anna Hughes, Director, Flight Free UK Hugh Warmington, Chair, Quantock Hills National Landscape Partnership Tony Gent, Chief Executive, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Connie Duxbury, Chief Executive, Croydon Community Energy Robin Stamp, Chair, Friends of the Quantocks Chris Todd, Founder, Transport Action Network Bridget McKenzie, Climate Museum UK Cat Ainsworth, CEO, Protect Our Winters Sue Sayer MBE, Seal Research Trust Dom Ferris, Chief Executive, Trash Free Trails Carrie Cort, Founder, Sussex Green Living Patrick Norris, Footsteps in Northumberland Steph Bleach, Outreach and Partnership Lead, Zero Carbon Guildford Nigel Palmer, Chief Executive, Badger Trust Nick Bruce-White, Chief Executive, Devon Wildlife Trust Eleanor Monk, Project Leader, Green Arts Oxfordshire Network Dr Sarah Eglington, group coordinator, Norwich Friends of the Earth Hazel Draper, Co-founder, Wild Card Karine Decorne, National Coordinator, Culture Declares Emergency Eliot Line, Chief Executive, Norfolk Wildlife Trust Rosie Pearson, Chairman, Community Planning Alliance Matt Walpole, Chief Executive, Cornwall Wildlife Trust Adam Murray, Director of Action for Nature, Somerset Wildlife Trust Becca Clark, Director, Green Squirrel Claire Moodie, Chief Executive, Earth Action North Devon Jon Parkes-Withers, Public Affairs and Advocacy Lead, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust The Viscount Addison, Campaign for National Parks Vice-President Janet Cochrane, Director, Ride Yorkshire Graham Burns, Head of Centre, Lledr Outdoor Education Centre Tim Taylor, Director, Patterdale Hall Residential Adventure Learning Centre Jonathan Sullivan, Chair, Sussex Area Ramblers Jo McDonald, Chair, Croyde Area Residents Association Tom Burditt, Chief Executive, The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Mersey |
Jo Smith, Chief Executive, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Debbie Tann, Chief Executive, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Jim Glover, Friends of the Wildbrooks Steve Crowther, Chairman, Devon CPRE Jamie Cayzer-Colvin – Chair, North Wessex Downs Landscape Trust Christopher Musgrave – Chair, Marlborough Downs Nature Enhancement Farming Partnership Jemma Batten – Founder, Black Sheep Countryside Management Tony Pratt, Chair, Taw Torridge Estuary Form Tina Bath, Chair, Mendip Society David Turner, Chairman, Mendip Hills National Landscape Partnership Gillian Taylor, Secretary, Friends of Hollingbury & Burstead Woods Suzy Russell, Network Coordinator, Community Supported Agriculture Michael Shaw, Secretary, Association for Rural Marley Cllr Bob Nelson, Chair, Blackdown Hills National Landscape Management Partnership Alan Cooke, Secretary, Friends of Craven Wood Dr Eirene Williams, Chair, North Devon Coast National Landscape Partnership Paul Steedman, Director, CPRE Sussex David Gaussen, Birmingham Friends of the Earth Brian Bleese, Chief Executive, Dorset Wildlife Trust Giles Watts, Chair, Dorset Climate Action Network Jill Sutcliffe, Co-founder, Manhood and Wildlife Group Paula Gardner, Chair, Stanmer Preservation Society Liesje Birchenough, Chair, Coastwise North Devon Phil Belden, Vice Chair, South Downs Network Steve Randles, Head of Delivery, Brathay Trust Tom Laws, Campaign Manager, Save Our Rivers Cllr John Barrow, Chair, Dunkeswell Parish Council in Black Down Hills National Landscape Laura Ward, Chair, EcoDewi John Ward MBE, former Chair of the New Forest Association Keith Howe, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Rural Policy Research, Exter University (former Exmoor Society Vice Chair and board member of the New Forest Association) Revd Dr Darrell Hannah, Chair, Operation Noah David McDonald, Chair, the Institute of Historic Building Conservation Linda Austin, Secretary, The Friends of St Ann’s Well Gardens Robert Cheesman, Secretary, CPRE Lewes District Branch Ian Crawford, Chair, SERA South West Richard Yates, Chief Executive, Essex Wildlife Trust Tina Luxton, Chair, Georgeham Parish Community Land Trust Margaret Feetham, Secretary, Sustainable Swaledale Paul Johnson, Chair, Wildflower Conservation Society Sophie Robinson, Land Use Plus Project Manager, Brighton and Hove Food Partnership Linden Groves, Director, The Gardens Trust Cllr Pete Bradbury, Chair, High Weald National Landscape Joint Advisory Committee Pete Ward, Owner, The Real Adventure Company, Pembrokeshire Jan Van Mossevelde, Global President, Smartwool and icebreaker Mariano Alonso, Vice President & General Manager, The North Face (EMEA) |
Dr Rose O’Neill, Chief Executive, Campaign for National ParksThe British public love National Parks and Landscapes. Weakening the law that protects them would be devastating for nature, for the millions that enjoy them and the businesses they support. These places need more support from Government to make them wilder and more accessible to everyone. Ditching the Duty now would be madness, undoing decades of progress and betraying the very legacy National Parks were founded upon.
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