New Vision for National Parks welcomed

18th March 2010

England’s National Park Authorities [1] have today (Thursday) welcomed the publication of the revised Circular for English National Parks and the Broads [2] which includes a vision for National Parks in 2030 and sets out policy guidance for all those whose decisions or actions might affect the National Parks and the Broads.

ENPAA [3] thanks Defra staff and Ministers for working hard over the last few months to update this key document which reaffirms the immense value and benefits of National Parks to society and the Government’s commitment to protect them as an asset for the whole country now and for the future.

The vision [4] is challenging and will only be achievable if all those living and working in and around National Parks work together in partnership. The National Park Authorities [1] are ready to take up this challenge but although National Park Authorities have a clear responsibility to take a lead in safeguarding these national treasures and making sure that everyone can continue to appreciate and enjoy them, they cannot do it alone. The circular is a vital and timely reminder to all public bodies, charities, businesses, land owners and managers and communities that they all play an important part in helping to protect our most special landscapes for the future.

Narendra Bajaria (Chairman of ENPAA) said:

“We welcome the vision and look forward to working together with all our partner organisations and the communities in the National Parks to deliver it. We are passionate about continuing to protect these breathtaking landscapes for the future and continuing to deliver many benefits they provide to society such as the 70% of drinking water that has its source in National Parks or the carbon stored in their soils [5].”

Note to Editors

1. England has ten National Parks. They cover 9.3% of England by land area. Each has a National Park Authority (NPA) who have two statutory purposes. These are to:

conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of their areas; and
promote opportunities for the public understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of their areas.

In addition, the Broads Authority has an additional statutory purpose to protect the interests of navigation. In furthering these purposes, the NPAs are to seek to foster the social and economic well-being of their local communities.

2. The Circular is available in the National Parks section of Defra’s website. The new Circular gives policy guidance for all those whose decisions or actions might affect the National Parks and the Broads. This will include, amongst others, government departments, government agencies, local authorities and public bodies of various kinds.

The Circular sets out the Government’s views on various issues and explains how it intends to use powers which have been given to it in legislation. It is a formal statement of Government policy and may be referred to in, for example, planning inquiries. But it is not law and public bodies are not be obliged to follow its advice; but they might be seen as acting unreasonably if they ignored it and/or acted differently unless they gave sound reasons for doing so.

3. ENPAA (the English National Park Authorities Association) is the body that represents the National Park Authorities in England. It is a not for profit company limited by guarantee (company number 6521048, registered in England at First Floor, 2-4 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3NW). ENPAA supports policy making by providing a collective voice for the nine National Park Authorities. More information is available at: www.enpaa.org.uk .

4. Vision for the English National Parks and the Broads

By 2030 English National Parks and the Broads will be places where:

• There are thriving, living, working landscapes notable for their natural beauty and cultural heritage. They inspire visitors and local communities to live within environmental limits and to tackle climate change. The wide-range of services they provide (from clean water to sustainable food) are in good condition and valued by society.

• Sustainable development can be seen in action. The communities of the Parks take an active part in decisions about their future. They are known for having been pivotal in the transformation to a low carbon society and sustainable living. Renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, low carbon transport and travel and healthy, prosperous communities have long been the norm.

• Wildlife flourishes and habitats are maintained, restored and expanded and linked effectively to other ecological networks. Woodland cover has increased and all woodlands are sustainably managed, with the right trees in the right places. Landscapes and habitats are managed to create resilience and enable adaptation.

• Everyone can discover the rich variety of England’s natural and historic environment, and have the chance to value them as places for escape, adventure, enjoyment, inspiration and reflection, and a source of national pride and identity. They will be recognised as fundamental to our prosperity and well-being.

5.119 Mt of carbon is held in the 449,000 ha of peat soils in National Parks alone – this is equivalent to England’s entire carbon dioxide emissions for one year. The 143,300 ha of woodland in National Parks store a further 7 Mt of carbon. Source – Climate change adaption and mitigation in National Parks.

Further information and interview

English National Park Authorities Association

Amanda Brace - Policy Officer, ENPAA (m) 07801 966 084
Paul Hamblin - Director, ENPAA..............(w) 020 7655 4812

Broads Authority

Hilary Franzen Press Officer (w) 01603 610734

Dartmoor National Park Authority

John Weir Communications Officer (w) 01626 832093

Exmoor National Park Authority

Clare O’Conner Communications Manager (w) 01398 322244

Lake District National Park Authority

Mick Casey Media and Marketing Coordinator (w) 01539 792683

New Forest National Park Authority

Martin O'Neill Head of Communications (w) 01590 646647

North York Moors National Park Authority

Rachel McIntosh Communications Officer (w) 01439 770657

Northumberland National Park Authority

Frances Whitehead Communications Officer (w) 01434 611542

Peak District National Park Authority

John Fern Head of Communications (w) 01629 816356

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

Nick Oldham Media Officer (w) 01756 751616