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National Park Authorities: Review

Introduction

In July 2002, the report of a review of English National Park Authorities was published. It had 54 recommendations:

In line with Government policy, non-departmental public bodies are usually reviewed every five years by their sponsor department to assess what, if any, improvements might be made to present arrangements. Although the National Park Authorities are not non-departmental public bodies, they are sponsored in a similar way by Defra.

This aim of the review was to make recommendations on the workings of the National Park Authorities and the Broads Authority, the framework within which they operate and their relationships with partners and key stakeholders since they were created under the Environment Act 1995.

It looked not only at what National Park Authorities might do to help fulfil their purposes, but also whether there were constraints on them which might be removed or reduced.

Comments on the review were received from a wide range of organisations including the National Park Authorities, local authorities, statutory agencies, land management organisations, recreational and conservation interests.

The action plan for implementation of the recommendations is also available:

Evaluation of Planning Policies

One of the recommendations of the Review of National Park Authorities was to undertake an evaluation of planning policies as they affect National Parks. This was completed in March 2004 and looked at a wide range of issues affecting the Parks, including housing, minerals, renewable energy and the Government's reform of the planning system.

It found that the current planning system works for National Parks but that there were some concerns about the new system and policies that may replace it.

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Page last modified: 19 March 2007
Page published: 5 February 2003

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs