Extra protection for the ‘green health service’ provided by our National Park landscapes
South Downs National Park to benefit from plan to improve our landscapes and make them more easily accessible
The South Downs National Park Authority has welcomed the Government’s plans for the future of the UK’S National Parks and other protected landscapes.
The plans, announced on Thursday (June 24) promise to create and improve protected landscapes and make them more accessible.
A funding scheme will also be launched to support farmers to improve protected landscapes.
Trevor Beattie, chief executive of the authority, said: “It is good news that the Government is acknowledging the importance of our national landscapes to deliver for people, places, nature and climate.
“The first ten years of the South Downs National Park has underlined the priceless value of this worldclass landscape to make more space for nature and we welcome the creation of new sources of funding to support nature in our protected landscapes and the commitment to create more National Nature Reserves.
“The pandemic has shown that National Parks are needed now more than ever andthesouthdownsnational Park provides a vital ‘green health service’ in the heart of the busy South East. It is a wonderful place to visit and enjoy world-class landscapes, wildlife and cultural heritage, and home to thriving local communities.
“As a landscape that is 75 per cent farmed and where we work in close partnership with our farmers and land managers, we welcome the Farming in Protected Landscape commitment and stand ready to support our farmers to deliver.”
Mr Beattie said each unique National Park had a key role to play in meeting national commitments to tackle climate change and transform lives through access to nature for all.
“We welcome greater opportunities to achieve all this through wider collaboration with the protected landscape family,” he said.
“We look forward to working with Defra to help them shape their full response to the Glover Landscapes Review and to deliver its ambitions for nature recovery, access for all, education and national health and wellbeing. All of this will be achieved through the seamless co-operation between national and local level that Glover advocated.”
Andrew Mccloy, chairman for National Parks England said: “The Secretary of State has recognised the important role our most precious landscapes play for the nation, supporting people, places and nature.
“National Parks have been critical in helping the nation recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have welcomed more visitors than ever before, supported our local communities, and demonstrated that green spaces benefit health and wellbeing. Together with our communities, partners and visitors we aspire to build a brighter future for the country, more resilient to climate change, with an abundance of wildlife and amazing places for people to both live and visit.
“We agree that more funding should be directed towards nature’s recovery in protected landscapes. This moment is a crucial opportunity for the government to provide longterm investment for the nation’s most special places.
“This is particularly important for the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, which we hope will ensure farmers and land managers are well positioned for the new environmental land management schemes that will be introduced from 2024.
“The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme will give farmers and other land managers the opportunity to work with National Parks and AONBS, providing the support needed to promote nature recovery, mitigate the climate emergency, increase opportunities to access and enjoy these landscapes, and provide high quality food and fibre, while running a viable and sustainable farm business.”
Mr Mccloy also noted the intention to review the structures and welcomed the Government’s recognition of the importance of local leadership in delivering National Park purposes.
“National Park Authorities (NPA) lead and bring together partnerships for our special places, using local knowledge, understanding and connections to deliver national priorities and supporting globally important action,” he said. “NPAS are key to generating both local action and delivery on the ground, and to ensuring accountability – this is vital to our role as ‘place shapers’ and for partnership working.
“We look forward to continuing our work with farmers, land managers, Defra, Natural England, colleagues in Protected Landscapes, and many other key partners to tackle the climate emergency, ensure our beautiful landscapes are there for everyone, sustainably manage land, and focus on nature recovery – the cornerstones of National Parks England’s priorities over the next decade.”
He added: “The demand for contact with nature for health and wellbeing through the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us that, as we forge a greener, healthier future, the National Park network is a beacon of hope, needed as much it was when established alongside the NHS 70 years ago.”
The pandemic has shown us that National Parks are needed now more than ever
TREVOR BEATTIE South Downs National Park Authority