Response: if the UK Government repeals duty on public bodies
Published: 24 September 2025
Responding to the speculation that the UK Government is minded to repeal the duty on public bodies to “seek to further” National Park and National Landscapes purposes, Campaign for National Parks Chief Executive Dr Rose O’Neill said…
“This is unbelievable – if the rumours are true this decision would be absolutely devastating for National Parks, National Landscapes. This duty is the only real power they have to secure action for nature, and help meet the UK’s international 30by30 obligations. Without it, they are little more than paper parks.
National Parks are the Crown Jewels of our countryside, loved by millions, and world-famous as Britain’s most special and iconic landscapes. Why on earth would any Government want to make it easier to pollute the Lake District or bulldoze the New Forest?
The previous Government strengthened the law protecting National Parks and Landscapes, to force greater action from all public bodies, on the back of a weight of evidence and proper consultation. The Duty was supported by all parties and championed from Labour benches. It’s truly transformational – the biggest step forward in National Park protection in 30 years. Ditching it now, when it’s just starting to make a difference makes no sense. The evidence so far, including that from Natural England, Defra, the Parks and the High Court, all suggests the Duty works with the Planning system.
These rumours are especially shocking because this has come out of nowhere – just months after Ministers were championing this law to celebrate 75 years since a Labour Government founded National Parks. If they are planning to rip it up, then they would be taking sledgehammer to that legacy. Any politician proposing that would have a real fight on their hands.
In January, Ministers promised regulation to make it crystal clear what different public bodies need to do to “seek to further” National Parks and Landscapes. I’d urge Government to make good on that promise and provide leadership, and solutions that deliver for nature, growth, and the nation. To backtrack now would be a deeply damaging step.
We have been campaigning for this law for over 30 years. The duty was hard won – and now, when they are only just starting to uphold it, rumours suggest UK Government are removing it! We will not let that happen.”
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