The notion of a new national park has been gaining ground:
New National Park planned for East Devon
Dorset/East Devon AONBs ‘strong candidates’ for new National Park
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And is moving forward:
‘Jurassic Park’ plans for parts of Devon and Dorset
An independent review undertaken last year by Julian Glover into National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty noted there was potential for a new National Park to be formed from the combination of the Dorset AONB and the East Devon AONB.
‘Jurassic Park’ plans for parts of Devon and Dorset – Devon Live
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And a council committee has just looked at it:
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Welcome to ‘Jurassic Park’ in East Devon and Dorset? Areas’ beauty spots could combine to bag national status
Calls have been made for a new Dorset and East Devon National Park to be created. Picture courtesy of Google Maps.
The Glover Review of protected landscapes in England is set to be discussed by East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) Strategic Planning Committee.
A report by Ed Freeman, EDDC’s service lead, to the meeting reminds the committee that around two thirds of East Devon falls in designated AONBs.
Mr Freeman adds: “The Glover report therefore has a specific and direct relevance to our district and its outstanding landscape qualities. It is highlighted that the Glover report notes potential for a new National Park to be formed from the combination of the Dorset AONB and the East Devon AONB. It is stressed that the Glover review is a report to government and is not a consultation document. It is expected that the Government will formally respond to the Glover report outlining any actions it may wish to take forward.”
Welcome to ‘Jurassic Park’ in East Devon and Dorset?
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However, councillors have expressed disquiet:
House prices could rise ‘considerably’ if National Park created in East Devon and Dorset | Sidmouth Nub news
Fears raised over new ‘Jurassic Park’ plans for parts of Dorset and East Devon | Devon Live
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Here are the full minutes from that meeting:
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27: Minutes Strategic Planning Committee:
Members debated and agreed to hear Councillor Arnott’s proposed motion to Full Council on 23 October 2019.
The motion read as follows:
“That the council writes to thank Julian Glover and his team for the Glover Review into National Parks and AONBs and advises him of its next steps, the letter to be copied to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Theresa Villiers MP, and to the Leader of Devon County Council, Cllr John Hart.
That the council welcomes the historic recommendation on page 121 of the Glover Review which states:
“We received submissions on the case for several other AONBs to become National Parks too. The two that stand out as leading candidates are the Cotswolds AONB and the combined Dorset and East Devon AONBs”
Glover Review of Protected Landscapes in England PDF 258 KB
That the council supports the formation of a cross party working group of up to 12 members to make contact as soon as possible with representatives of the proposed Dorset section of an East Devon/Dorset National Park to arrange a meeting at Blackdown House no later than January 30th 2020 in order to engage with and understand the issues and opportunities which would arise from a new National Park.
That this working group makes an initial report to the Overview Committee in March 2020.”
In response Members voted to debate the item.
The Chief Executive outlined the reasons why the report had come before the Strategic Planning Committee and advised members about setting up a working party to look at the implications of going down the National Park route.
Discussion covered:
- Need to consider climate change – carbon capture.
- The need to fight for what we want and not to wait for others to decide.
- A National Park has purposes and duties.
- A National Park promotes tourism which is essential for economy.
- A National Park gives a landscape led local plan.
- A proposal was made to change the wording in the two recommendations.
- That members research all the recommendations of the Glover report on protected landscapes in England.
- Resolve to review the Governments response to the recommendations; and note that the Chilterns, the Cotswolds and the Dorset and East Devon AONBs are potential candidates for future designation as National Parks.
- More research is needed.
- Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks are internationally recognised which needs to be encouraged.
RESOLVED:
- that members research all of the recommendations of the Glover Report on protected landscapes in England be resolved;
- to review the Government’s response to the recommendations; and note that the Chilterns, the Cotswolds and Dorset and East Devon AONBs are potential candidates for future designation as national parks be resolved;
- that the Strategic Planning Committee hold a special meeting open to all members to consider and debate the issues regarding the possible creation of a National Park be resolved.
Strategic Planning Committee Tuesday, 22nd October, 2019 10.00 am