Dear Devon Members of Parliament,
Planning and Infrastructure Bill- The statutory purposes of Dartmoor National Park
I am contacting you on behalf of The Dartmoor Preservation Association CIO (‘The Friends of Dartmoor’). Who have been defending Dartmoor for 141 years, keeping it wild and free for all.
We have heard some deeply concerning news. We understand that some in the Westminster Government are intending to rush through very significant changes to the law protecting National Parks and National Landscapes in England as part of the final stages of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill within the next month. We hope to stop this from happening by raising our shared concerns with the Prime Minister next week, but we need your support as a local MP.
The Protected Landscapes duty, introduced through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, was the most significant legal step forward for National Parks and National Landscapes in a generation. For the first time ever, the law required all public bodies to actively “seek to further” the purposes of our most special landscapes. This means that decisions on water, housing, farming, transport, tourism and many more must all contribute positively to conserving and enhancing natural beauty, wildlife, cultural heritage, and opportunities for public enjoyment. The Duty also helps the UK deliver on nature recovery, climate resilience, and international commitments like ‘30×30’ (protecting and managing 30% of our land & sea for nature by 2030).
The proposed changes (to weaken or drop the duty on public bodies to seek to further the purposes of National Parks and National Landscapes) would be devastating to efforts to improve nature recovery, wildlife, cultural heritage and public access and enjoyment. As a local MP you are a vital custodian of the National Park, and we hope you will work with us in pressuring the Government on this issue and helping secure an outcome that reaffirms the commitment in LURA that make Dartmoor such a treasured place for local people and visitors alike.
We request 4 things of you:
- Tell Ministers: Keep the Duty intact. Do not allow it to be watered down or repealed.
- Speak up in Parliament. Raise this issue by tabling a Parliamentary Question.
- Show your support. Attend the launch of the new National Parks and National Landscapes APPG on 21st October 4–6pm, in Room N of Portcullis House.
- Support implementation of promised regulations. Ministers committed to clarifying exactly what public bodies must do to comply with the Duty. That promise must be honoured.
We are very keen to meet with you to discuss how you can support this campaign, as well as taking you on a visit of the National Park to highlight just how damaging these proposals would be for the most iconic and beautiful parts of your constituency.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Usher
CEO Dartmoor Preservation Association
For and on behalf of the Trustees and members of the DPA