National Parks

(asked on 14th March 2017) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultations they have had with Natural England about ensuring the protection of the national parks from major development; and what was the outcome of those consultations.


This question was answered on 28th March 2017

National park authorities and Natural England have clear roles with respect to the planning system. National park authorities are required to consult Natural England on development plans and must take into account any advice Natural England provides on them. Natural England is a statutory consultee on development requiring an environmental impact assessment and nationally significant infrastructure projects, and provides advice to national park authorities, local planning authorities and the Secretary of State where it considers there will be significant adverse impacts on national park purposes. In addition, Natural England has a duty to provide advice where any local authority consults it about proposals for the development of land in a national park.

Natural England’s advice is provided in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework, which affords national parks the highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty. Where a local planning authority is minded to grant planning permission contrary to Natural England’s advice, Natural England may request the Secretary of State to call in the application for its determination. Natural England liaises regularly with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Communities and Local Government on planning and development issues relating to national parks.

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