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England could have new national parks in Gove review | England could have new national parks in Gove review |
(about 3 hours later) | |
England could get more national parks after Environment Secretary Michael Gove announced he is launching a review into the country's natural landscapes. | England could get more national parks after Environment Secretary Michael Gove announced he is launching a review into the country's natural landscapes. |
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Gove said "the time is right" for a review, nearly 70 years on from the creation of the first national areas. | Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Gove said "the time is right" for a review, nearly 70 years on from the creation of the first national areas. |
It will consider whether to expand England's network of parks as well as areas of outstanding natural beauty. | It will consider whether to expand England's network of parks as well as areas of outstanding natural beauty. |
England has 10 existing national parks including Dartmoor and the New Forest. | England has 10 existing national parks including Dartmoor and the New Forest. |
It also has 34 AONBs - including the Chilterns, the Cotswolds and the Isle of Wight. | It also has 34 AONBs - including the Chilterns, the Cotswolds and the Isle of Wight. |
According to Mr Gove, the UK's population growth, combined with changes in technology and a decline in some habitats, meant it was time to "look afresh at these landscapes". | According to Mr Gove, the UK's population growth, combined with changes in technology and a decline in some habitats, meant it was time to "look afresh at these landscapes". |
Where are England's national parks? | |
He stressed that the goal of the review was not to diminish the protection of natural areas, but to "strengthen it in the face of present-day challenges". | He stressed that the goal of the review was not to diminish the protection of natural areas, but to "strengthen it in the face of present-day challenges". |
Former government aide and journalist Julian Glover has been appointed to carry it out. | Former government aide and journalist Julian Glover has been appointed to carry it out. |
Mr Gove said: "The creation of national parks almost 70 years ago changed the way we view our precious landscapes - helping us all access and enjoy our natural world. | Mr Gove said: "The creation of national parks almost 70 years ago changed the way we view our precious landscapes - helping us all access and enjoy our natural world. |
"We want to make sure they are not only conserved, but enhanced for the next generation. | "We want to make sure they are not only conserved, but enhanced for the next generation. |
"Are we properly supporting all those who live in, work in, or want to visit these magnificent places? Should we indeed be extending our areas of designated land?" | "Are we properly supporting all those who live in, work in, or want to visit these magnificent places? Should we indeed be extending our areas of designated land?" |
He added: "I want Julian explicitly to consider how we can extend and improve the protection we give to other precious landscapes." | He added: "I want Julian explicitly to consider how we can extend and improve the protection we give to other precious landscapes." |
Tony Juniper, the campaigns director for the WWF, welcomed the review, but warned that "we need to do more". | Tony Juniper, the campaigns director for the WWF, welcomed the review, but warned that "we need to do more". |
"Nature will continue to be at risk unless we have a plan for its recovery enshrined in law - through a new Environment Act that's backed by a strong watchdog with real power to enforce," he said. | "Nature will continue to be at risk unless we have a plan for its recovery enshrined in law - through a new Environment Act that's backed by a strong watchdog with real power to enforce," he said. |
England has 10 national parks - the Broads, Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Lake District, the New Forest, Northumberland, the North York Moors, the Peak District, the South Downs and the Yorkshire Dales. | England has 10 national parks - the Broads, Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Lake District, the New Forest, Northumberland, the North York Moors, the Peak District, the South Downs and the Yorkshire Dales. |
The first national parks to be created were the Peak District, Lake District, Snowdonia and Dartmoor in 1951. | The first national parks to be created were the Peak District, Lake District, Snowdonia and Dartmoor in 1951. |
There are two in Scotland - Cairngorms; and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs - and three in Wales: the Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire Coast, and Snowdonia. | There are two in Scotland - Cairngorms; and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs - and three in Wales: the Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire Coast, and Snowdonia. |
Mr Gove said that unlike other nations' national parks, "ours are working countryside" and lived in by farmers. | Mr Gove said that unlike other nations' national parks, "ours are working countryside" and lived in by farmers. |
'Finest gems' | 'Finest gems' |
Mr Glover, who Mr Gove called a "passionate advocate for the countryside", said: "Our protected landscapes are England's finest gems and we owe a huge debt to past generations who had the wisdom to preserve them. | Mr Glover, who Mr Gove called a "passionate advocate for the countryside", said: "Our protected landscapes are England's finest gems and we owe a huge debt to past generations who had the wisdom to preserve them. |
"The system they created has been a strength, but it faces challenges too. | "The system they created has been a strength, but it faces challenges too. |
"It is an honour to be asked to find ways to secure them for the future. I can't wait to get started and learn from everyone who shares an interest in making England's landscapes beautiful, diverse and successful." | "It is an honour to be asked to find ways to secure them for the future. I can't wait to get started and learn from everyone who shares an interest in making England's landscapes beautiful, diverse and successful." |
Margaret Paren, chairwoman of National Parks England said the announcement was "very much welcome" and the organisation intended to "to play a full part". | Margaret Paren, chairwoman of National Parks England said the announcement was "very much welcome" and the organisation intended to "to play a full part". |
She added: "And as we approach the 70th anniversary of the founding legislation we look forward to a future where their beauty is enhanced; they are loved and accessible for everyone; and they continue to support thriving communities in these working landscapes." | She added: "And as we approach the 70th anniversary of the founding legislation we look forward to a future where their beauty is enhanced; they are loved and accessible for everyone; and they continue to support thriving communities in these working landscapes." |
National parks are areas specifically protected because of their countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage and are funded by central government. | National parks are areas specifically protected because of their countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage and are funded by central government. |