Park Protector Awards - last chance to enter!

Enhancing the setting of our National Parks

We're pleased to learn that - following our support for the proposals - Ofgem has approved £43m funding for the Peak East VIP project to remove pylons and overhead powerlines, replacing them with underground cables.

It's the first project of its type in a National Park to secure both planning permission and funding approval. We've worked closely with CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire and other NGOs over a number of years to help inform these plans to reduce the visual impact of existing overhead National Grid infrastructure.

National Parks are our finest landscapes with the highest level of protection and, as champions of National Parks in England and Wales, we are keen to see that every opportunity is taken to conserve and enhance their wildlife, cultural heritage and natural beauty for future generations to enjoy. We welcome this news and look forward to seeing this project delivered.

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Pylons in Peak District National Park

New car park plans in Lake District National Park defy focus on car-free travel

We're joining Friends of the Lake District in objecting to a proposal for a new car park in open countryside near Cat Bells in Lake District National Park. We believe that it sets a dangerous precedent and does not fit with the direction of travel in terms of promoting car-free options.

Rather than creating a car park which facilitates yet more car travel, the emphasis should be on supporting solutions which ensure that more people can visit sustainably, and don't risk damaging the very features which attract people to these areas in the first place.

Allowing a permanent car park in this location would be contrary to the National Park Authority's planning policies, their Management Plan and their Smarter Travel Vision and we are objecting on those grounds and invite you to do the same.

Objections to the proposal need to be submitted via the Lake District National Park Authority's website by 5 March. You’ll find details of the application by searching for application reference number 7/2020/2291 here.

Future of Travel: rural strategy response

In last month's newsletter we highlighted some key consultations in England and Wales around transport and welcomed Snowdonia National Park's car-free travel explorations. We've since submitted our full response to the Department of Transport's call for evidence for the Future of Travel - rural strategy.

We highlighted the increased visitor numbers to National Parks - including many first-time visitors - over the past year, the impact of cuts to rural bus services and need to promote and facilitate more active travel options. We emphasised the many benefits to be had by improving transport, economical, environmental and in terms of accessibility.

We wrote: 'The strategy must address the travel needs of visitors as well as residents if it is to tackle rural transport effectively. One of the key issues facing rural areas is the need to consider how increased numbers of visitors can visit safely and sustainably in ways that also provide benefits to the local communities in these areas. This issue is not considered at all in the call for evidence and it is absolutely essential that it is considered when solutions are developed as part of this review.'

You can read our full response here.

Latest blog post...

Thursday 4 March is World Book Day. Many a book has been written about, in or inspired by our National Parks; from the big names of William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter to children's author John Miles. We interviewed John for a timely blog about his series of books which connect young readers with National Parks. Find out more here.