In the 60th anniversary year of the Act of Parliament that gave our finest landscapes special recognition [1], countryside campaigners CPRE [2] welcome progress to improve their protection.  In particular, CPRE welcomed the recent confirmation of the South Downs National Park [3] and the prospect of extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks [4].

Emma Marrington, CPRE’s Rural Policy Campaigner said:

’60 years ago this month, politicians passed the Act that protects the places which are now our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The protection of these, our finest landscapes, and the promotion of their public enjoyment has been one of the greatest bi-partisan achievements of the post-war years. [5]

On the anniversary of such ground-breaking legislation, CPRE welcomes Natural England’s [6] new proposals to extend the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks.  We call on the next Government, of whatever party, to strongly support work to complete the jigsaw of protected landscapes in this most beautiful corner of England.’

CPRE believes that the Government and Natural England should also consider new Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), giving long term protection to beautiful, but vulnerable, landscapes such as the English border with Wales and the Forest of Dean.

Emma Marrington concluded:

‘With the confirmation of the South Downs as England's 10th National Park, this year has proved to be a fitting anniversary for the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.  Today’s politicians have honoured the vision of the post-war pioneers, but there is more to do.  All political parties should use this occasion to reaffirm their support for our best landscapes, celebrate their enduring value, and pledge to protect even more of the countryside for future generations.’
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NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 was given Royal Assent on 16th December 1949, exactly 60 years ago. Introducing the Bill to Parliament on March 31st 1949, Labour Minister Lewis Silkin described it as ‘a people’s charter for the open air’.

2.  CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

3. A National Park for the South Downs was proposed in 1947.  In 1999, the Government stated its intention to create new National Parks for the New Forest and the South Downs. Two Public Inquiries took place during 2003-2008 and a short hearing on small additions to the boundary took place in August 2009.  The Government confirmed the South Downs National Park in November 2009.

4. Natural England has re-started its work on identifying eleven possible extensions to the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks.  The process was halted last year until the implications of the South Downs National Park Public Inquiry became clear.  A public consultation is expected to be announced on 16th December 2009, seeking views on whether each of the eleven areas should be recognised for their natural beauty and recreation opportunities through designation as an extension to the Lake District and/or the Yorkshire Dales National Park; and whether the Orton Fells should be designated as National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  More information: Friends of the Lake District (CPRE's county branch in Cumbria) are leading on this issue for CPRE locally.

5.  The original inquiry into the case for creating National Parks was set up by the National Government in 1931 (the Addison Committee). The wartime Coalition commissioned John Gower’s report of 1945; the 1945 Labour Government passed the 1949 Act and created the first National Park (the Peak District) as well as the most recent, the New Forest, in 2005. The 1951 and 1955 Conservative Governments created all other National Parks established in the 1950s as well as the Broads Authority in 1989. AONBs have been created by both Labour and Conservative Governments between 1956 and 1995.

6.  Natural England is the government’s independent advisor on the natural environment.