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Consultation on a new National Parks and Broads Circular and Vision Statement

The existing Circular on National Parks dates from 1996 and followed the 1995 Environment Act which provided for the establishment of independent National Park Authorities. Much of the existing Circular is out of date and a replacement is needed.

The new Circular will be policy guidance for all those whose decisions or actions might affect the National Parks and the Broads. This will include, amongst others, government departments, government agencies, local authorities and public bodies of various kinds.

The Circular will set out the Government’s views on various issues and will explain how it intends to use powers which have been given to it in legislation. It will be a formal statement of Government policy and may be referred to in, for example, planning inquiries. But it will not be law and public bodies will not be obliged to follow its advice; but they might be seen as acting unreasonably if they ignored it and/or acted differently unless they gave sound reasons for doing so.

The Circular will cover a wide range of issues but it places particular emphasis on:

  • dealing with climate change
  • continuing to conserve and enhance the landscape and natural heritage
  • securing maximum value for money from the available funding
  • fostering biodiversity

The consultation welcomes your views on the proposed Circular. The closing date for responses is Friday, 5 February 2010.

Accompanying documents:

Further information

Page published: 19 March 2010

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