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Publication of DEFRA’ response to the Protected Landscapes Review

Tomo Thompson
By Tomo Thompson
15th January 2022

 

 

DEFRA has this morning published the governments response to the ‘Protected Landscapes’ (National Parks and AONBs) Review.

‘The proposals, which will be subject to consultation, are set out in the Government’s response to Julian Glover’s independent Review which looked at whether the protections for National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are still fit for purpose. The Government’s 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.’
– DEFRA

The review, commonly known as the ‘Glover Report’ was published by Julian Glover and a panel of experts in September 2019. You can read that document here

The publication from DEFRA can be read here

One of the key takeaways from the report is that ‘a new national landscapes partnership will bring together those responsible for managing England’s National Parks and AONBs to collaborate, share knowledge and tackle common objectives such as nature recovery and improved public access‘.

Having been intimately involved in ‘Protected Landscapes’ since the 1930’s (when the founders of the charity began their tireless campaigning to establish the first National Park), we were fully involved in considering and responding to the original Glover Report prior to its publication. CPRE PDSY established a ‘Glover Report Working Group’ of expert staff and volunteers. The charity has reconvened the working group in order to work closely with our partners in the Campaign for National Parks and provide our formal written response to the DEFRA publication, which we will share once complete.

DEFRA have also opened a 12 week public consultation period  (closes 9 April 2022) which you can access here