Ministers back England's National Parks - press releases

6th December 2007

The Government has announced today (Thursday 6th December 2007) that despite the funding shortfalls experienced by Defra, it will be providing £46.2m to National Park Authorities [1] next year. The inflation linked settlement will mean that the Authorities can continue to protect some of our finest landscapes, contribute to tackling dangerous climate change, and ensure that the millions who visit are able to better appreciate these wonderful areas.

Paul Hamblin, the Director of the English National Park Authorities Association (ENPAA) [2] in welcoming the news said:

‘National Parks are national treasures - visited by millions every year. The public overwhelmingly support National Parks, and with the decline in hill farming, the challenge posed by climate change, and the need to meet local needs for affordable housing, these funds will be in strong demand. We welcome the continued support shown for National Parks by Hilary Benn and his Ministerial team in what has been a very difficult financial climate.’ [3]

Paul Hamblin concluded:

‘The environment is taking centre stage in politics today. Year by year, the National Park Authorities are contributing important projects that help in the fight against dangerous climate change, that support rural communities, and protect the natural environment. But often this can only be achieved through working with partners and other environmental agencies. And so it is a worry that given the challenges ahead, Defra has had to make such difficult decisions and the environment budgets of other Agencies are under sustained pressure.’

Note to Editors:

1.England has nine National Parks. They cover 7.6% of England by land area. They are managed by National Park Authorities (NPAs) who have two statutory purposes. These are to:

conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of their areas;
promote opportunities for the public understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of their areas.

In addition, the Broads Authority has an additional statutory purpose to protect the interests of navigation. In furthering these purposes, the NPAs are to seek to foster the social and economic well-being of their local communities. More information about National Parks across the UK is available at www.nationalparks.gov.uk

2.ENPAA (the English National Park Authorities Association) is the body that represents the National Park Authorities in England. It was established in April 2006 and provides a collective voice for the nine National Park Authorities.

3.In a NOP poll undertaken in June 2007, a representative sample of 1,000 adults from across Great Britain were asked for their views about National Parks. This revealed that 93% of the public felt National Parks were important to them.

Further information and interview

ENPAA

Paul Hamblin
Director, ENPAA
(work) 020 7655 4812
(mobile) 0796 8760854

National Park Authorities

Contact details for each of the nine English National Park Authorities are available upon request.

Investing in England’s National Parks

The Government announced its allocation for funding England’s nine National Park Authorities in England for the period 2008/09 – 2010/11. This follows a tight settlement for Defra in the Comprehensive Spending Review. Details of the allocation are set out below.

National Park Authority	Current (rounded to £ million)	Proposed 2008/09	Proposed 2009/10	Proposed 2010/11
Broads Authority	£ 4.127	£ 4.304	£ 4.323	£ 4.442
Dartmoor	£ 4.521	£ 4.716	£ 4.845	£ 4.979
Exmoor	£ 3.794	£ 3.957	£ 4.066	£ 4.177
Lake District	£ 6.607	£ 6.891	£ 7.080	7.275
New Forest *	£ 3.845	£ 4.01	£ 4.321	£ 4.440
North York Moors	£ 5.179	£ 5.551	£ 5.551	£5.703
Northumberland	£ 3.156	£ 3.292	£ 3.382	£ 3.475
Peak District	£ 7.923	£ 8.264	£ 8.492	£ 8.725
Yorkshire Dales	£ 5.151	£ 5.373	£ 5.520	£ 5.672
Discretionary	£ .043	£ 0	£ 0	£ 0
Exmoor Deer Grant	£ .025	£ .025	£ 0	£ 0
Total	£44.371	£46.234	£47.580	£48.889