A Vision for England's National Parks in 2050
On November 4th 2009 ENPAA held a policy seminar in central London.
The purpose of the day was to get feedback from key colleagues and partners on the draft ‘Vision for National Parks in 2050’ and hear their views on what the future might hold for English National Parks.
The Seminar was well attended by about 70 people from a cross section of interests, all of whom engaged constructively in the process and provided us with some thoughtful points to consider. Those attending included staff from Defra, National Park Authority staff and members, staff and members of statutory agencies (Natural England, Forestry Commission and English Heritage), staff and members of voluntary organisations (such as Campaign for National Parks, RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, CPRE and Woodland Trust) and a range of other partners including CLBA, Town and Country Planning Association, Black Environment Network, CRC, Europarc Atlantic Isles, the MoD, National Association of AONBs and VisitEngland.
By clicking the links below this summary you can see the agenda, read the speeches given by our main speakers and associated questions and answers, read a summary of the workshop feedback and look at some of the ideas participants had of what National Parks would mean to people in 2050.
In summary, while there was a strong endorsement of the need for and content of the Vision, some participants felt it should be more ambitious. The need for the Vision to connect beyond National Park boundaries in a more explicit fashion was highlighted; as was the need for it to be tested against futures scenarios. A wide range of other feedback was also provided through the plenary discussions and workshops.
Following the seminar we have been considering the feedback from the day and from other sources. On November 13th Defra published a consultation on a revised Circular for English National Parks and the Broads which includes our draft vision. This represents an iterative development of the vision. We will now work with Defra to develop the vision taking into account feedback from the seminar and from the Defra consultation, and encourage all to participate in the consultation.
Thanks to all those who attended or contributed to making the seminar a very interesting and successful event.
“For the people / communities in the Parks it means home, family, job, friends, services – lineage, culture and evolution of interaction between people and landscapes creating communities”
What National Parks mean - participant view
