New government plans looking to ‘safeguard’ national parks and AONBs have been criticised by rural campaigners as being a ‘missed opportunity’ to level up the countryside.
The proposals, which will be subject to a 12-week consultation, have been set out in the government’s response to Julian Glover’s independent Landscapes Review.
This looked at whether the protections for National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), which cover much of the South East, are still fit for purpose.
A new national landscapes partnership
As part of its proposals, a new national landscapes partnership will be created to bring together those responsible for managing England’s National Parks and AONBs.
CLA South East represents thousands of farmers, landowners and rural businesses in Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Bamford: Government missing out on significant economic and social opportunity
Regional Director Tim Bamford said,
“This announcement is a missed opportunity for the countryside. Designated areas make an important contribution to maintaining our national identity and rural heritage, protecting the countryside from unnecessary and undesirable development.
“Yet all too often they can be used to hold the countryside back from sensible and sustainable development, depriving those who want to live and work in rural communities of the chance for a good home and a good job. We know that young people are leaving these areas due to lack of opportunity, taking their talents with them. Nothing in this announcement will entice them back.
“By viewing the countryside purely through an environmental lens, Government is missing out on significant economic and social opportunity – which flies in the face of its supposed Levelling Up agenda. Put simply, the countryside is not a museum and Whitehall should stop treating it as such.
“We strongly encourage the Government to show some ambition for the countryside – including supporting businesses in designated areas. Allow us to protect its inherent beauty, but help us to create jobs, share prosperity and strengthen communities at the same time.”
For more information about the CLA and its work, visit the Website and follow @CLASouthEast on Twitter.
News shared by Michael on behalf of the Country Land and Business Association. Ed
Image: Illya Vjestica under CC BY 2.0
