New forest National Park Designations

First steps towards designation of the New forest and the South Downs as National Parks were announced recently by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

The proposed two new National Parks would bring the number of National Parks in England and Wales to 12. The total area being considered for designation amounts to almost 2,000 sq km. National Park status would ensure protection of natural beauty, wildlife and the area's cultural heritage. It would create a body which could then provide opportunities for enjoying the countryside while maintaining sustainable development. Mr Prescott said: "National Parks, along with Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are recognised as being our most beautiful countryside. We have been looking carefully at what needs to be done to ensure the protection and good management of these areas for the next 50 years. I have now asked the Countryside Agency to consider designating a New forest National Park and, in consultation with local authorities, a National Park in the South Downs."

Environment Minister Michael "Badger Basher" Meacher added: "We also intend to do more to conserve and enhance the very varied collection of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which are equal in terms of landscape significance to the National Parks. We will very shortly be providing details of a new series of measures to this end."

Last year the former Countryside Commission presented advice to Government, in 'Protecting our Finest Countryside', about the future status of the New forest and the South Downs, and about measures needed to protect and manage AONBs. The advice recognised that the New forest fully met the criteria for designation as a National Park. But The Countryside Commission considered that the South Downs did not conform to the way they had traditionally operated the criteria for designation as a National Park, which placed emphasis on selecting areas of open country with a degree of ruggedness or wildness.

Ministers are asking the Countryside Agency to look again at the way the criteria are operated. The Government is committed to improving people's enjoyment of the countryside, and the most sustainable way to do this is by providing recreational opportunities close to where people live. Ministers are therefore asking the Countryside Agency to consult the local authorities concerned with a view to bringing forward recommendations as to how a National Park could best operate on the Downs.

Since the introduction of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, ten National Parks and 41 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty have been created in England and Wales. The planning system provides strong protection for natural beauty in all these areas. The National Parks in England are Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Lake District, Northumberland, the North York Moors, the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales; and in Wales, the Brecon Beacons, Pembroke Coast and Snowdonia. The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads have a similar status under separate legislation. Each of them has a National Park Authority which looks after conservation issues and helps people to understand and enjoy their special qualities, as well as seeking to foster the social and economic well-being of the local communities in the Park.

Designation of National Parks is the responsibility of the Countryside Agency, which consults local interests about a boundary and other issues before preparing a Designation Order. The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions must consider any objections to the Designation Order, and call a public inquiry if necessary, before deciding whether to confirm the Order, with or without modifications.

English Nature notes the Government announcement on the special status of the New forest, but warns that standard National Park legislation does not give sufficient emphasis to the conservation of its natural heritage.

English Nature has been calling for tailor-made legislation for a New forest National Park which would build upon, rather than replace, the current mechanisms which are working well. The New forest's wildlife is internationally recognised. English Nature believes that any new arrangements must ensure that the conservation of its natural heritage remains the pre-eminent objective above all others.

"Together with the New forest Committee we have made huge strides in recent years to pull together all the statutory organisations working in the New forest", said Dr Derek Langslow, Chief Executive of English Nature. "The launch of a Strategy for the New forest, and a successful £5.2 million LIFE project using European Union funds are evidence of the Committee's success. Unfortunately setting up a standard National Park Authority will exclude several key New forest Committee members and this is something we must avoid at all costs. Given the importance of the New forest it is essential that we create a special solution to ensure that nature conservation interests continue to play a key role in the its future. English Nature will work to make the very best of the opportunity to contribute to the creation of a National Park in the New forest and we will use our influence to gain maximum benefit for the commoners, residents and wildlife," he concluded.

The New forest is a unique place where history, culture and wildlife are intimately entwined; where modern living and ancient traditions co-exist under a complex web of legislation. The New forest has been managed following the same principles for over 900 years and the continual exercise of commoners rights including the grazing of ponies, pigs and cattle has contributed to the New forest's very special place in England's wildlife heritage. It is internationally important for habitats such as ancient woodland, heathland, mires and other wetland areas, and the species that live there. These include rare birds such as Dartford warbler, nightjar and woodlark and insects such as the southern damselfly and stag beetle.