Your views wanted on National Parks and AONBs

The Government is consulting on its response to the Glover Landscape Review. Deadline for submissions is Saturday 9 April 2022.

The long-awaited Government response to the 2018 Landscapes Review conducted by Julian Glover (the Glover Report) report was published on 15 January 2022, together with a consultation.

The Landscapes Review was commissioned in May 2018 to consider whether the protections for National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England are still fit for purpose; what might be done better, what changes will help and whether the definitions and systems in place are still valid. The final report of the Review was published in September 2019.

The Government’s Press Release states that its response ‘sets out ambitious changes to increase access to nature and ensure protected landscapes can deliver more for climate, nature, people and places for the next 70 years and beyond, as we build back greener from the pandemic and level up all parts of the country’.

AONBs should have more say about planning in their areas

We’re pleased that, significantly, the government agrees AONBs should have more say about planning in their areas. This includes managing authorities being consulted about any big planning proposals within their borders. It also says that the strong planning protection for National Parks and AONBs must continue.

Commenting on the government response, national CPRE Chief Executive Crispin Truman said ‘These are positive steps in the right direction towards making our most amazing landscapes even better in the future. There’s clearly no lack of ambition but what is conspicuously lacking is the government funding needed to actually deliver these ambitions.’

Seeking views

The consultation is seeking views on proposals, including:

– encouraging improved access to our protected landscapes and nature for all parts of society, particularly where this supports improved public health and well-being;

– continuing support for the local communities that live and work in protected landscapes, helping preserve our heritage for future generations;

– driving nature recovery and nature-based solutions within protected landscapes to help address the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change; and

– applying structural changes and resources to support our protected landscapes in delivering more for nature, climate, people and places.

You can respond to the consultation, which closes on Saturday 9 April 2022,

CPRE will be responding in detail to the consultation.

Read more

Terms of reference of the Review

CPRE National Charity response to Landscapes Review call for evidence

Landscapes Review Final Report

Government response to the Landscape Review

CPRE’s initial reaction to the Government response

Consultation on the Government response