Green groups criticise plans to weaken protections for English national parks

"Plans to water down protections for national parks such as Dartmoor and the Lake District in a kneejerk bid for growth will be devastating for nature, more than 170 organisations have told the prime minister. The Treasury is understood to be pushing for a weakening of protections for England's national parks and national landscapes in changes to planning law to make it easier for developers to build houses and infrastructure projects."

"National parks were created by Clement Attlee's Labour government in the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act. Keir Starmer's Labour government has declared the protection and enhancement of national parks to be vital to its mission to restore nature and boost the nation's health through access to green spaces. Ministers celebrated the parks last year on the 75th anniversary of their creation."

"Rose O'Neill, the chief executive of the Campaign for National Parks, said there was no evidence that the duty to enhance the parks was stopping growth. She said the last-minute proposal was a kneejerk reaction backed by no evidence. Keir Starmer has talked so much about his love of national parks, and the Lake District, so we are appealing to him to stop this, she said. We don't think removing this duty will do anything to boost growth; in fact, it will slow down development."

The Treasury is seeking changes to planning law that would weaken protections for England's national parks and national landscapes to make it easier for developers to build houses and infrastructure. National parks were established by the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act and are designated for protection and public access. A proposed amendment would remove a statutory duty on councils and public bodies to protect and enhance nature and wildlife within national parks. Government discussions on amendments are ongoing with a deadline for ministers to submit changes. Campaigners and charities warn that removing the duty lacks evidence, risks devastating nature, and could slow development. A government spokesperson denied that such changes are being discussed.

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