The New Forest National Park Authority is disappointed to read media speculation that the Government is considering revoking powers to support our most special landscapes.
New Forest National Park Authority Chair David Bence said: ‘National Parks cover 10% of England and are vital in helping nature recover, tackling climate change and improving public health and wellbeing. So it’s crucial that relevant authorities including Government departments, local authorities, utility companies and others are legally bound to support us in this endeavour. We’re already working more closely with companies and organisations thanks to these new powers in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act (LURA).
‘The legal duty on public bodies to “further the purposes” of national parks and national landscapes was only introduced in 2023 to ensure our iconic landscapes are given appropriate weight in decision making.
‘The duty to seek to further the purposes of the National Park isn’t a barrier to progress – it encourages greater collaboration and combining of resources to help us move forward together. The strengthened duty is already recognised by a wide range of bodies working within the New Forest and to reduce or take away these hard-won powers now would be a retrograde step for the New Forest National Park.’
The combined National Parks England statement is here: National Parks England Comment: Reports that Government may be considering a repeal of the “seek to further” duty on public bodies in Protected Landscapes — National Parks England