Battle Lines Could Be Drawn Over New National Park

As a crucial enquiry takes place in Northern England over plans to extend the National Park status between the Lake District and The Yorkshire Dales,  equally controversial plans are taking shape for a proposal to create a new Dorset and East Devon National Park.

Already it is being dubbed the Jurassic National Park as the coastline of the new entity would closely follow the already existing World Heritage Site of the Jurassic Coast which currently runs from Orcombe Point by Exmouth in the west to Old Harry Rocks by Swanage in the east.

An obvious bone of contention that immediately arises is the fact that should National Park status been granted, it would remove planning powers from the district council. Unsurprisingly, top East Devon district councillors have been asked to refuse the proposal that would effectively run from Exeter to Poole.

The proposal for a Jurassic National Park, that brings together the designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Dorset with those in East Devon, has been made by the recently formed Dorset and East Devon National Park Group. The final decision would rest with the Government's environmental agency, Natural England.

Whereas the Group feels that the idea would have significant economic, social and environmental benefits, as well as a benefit for tourism across the region through the holistic management of extended recreational opportunities, the main advantage cited for the creation of the park was to improve the connection between existing protected areas in order to promote the delivery of "crucial national conservation objectives".

The loss of planning powers to the new National Park authority is a big stumbling block to those who already hold those powers, namely East Devon District Council. Head of policy, Matt Dickins, is recommending a motion opposing the idea.

This stance is backed by The East Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, who echoed his concerns regarding the loss of district council planning powers. Mr. Dickens also said it could restrict rural development while consequentially putting "development pressure" on towns and villages.

He said that a clash in interests could arise between the council and the park authority, adding: "It could frustrate, restrict or otherwise prevent necessary rural-based growth and development across a large part of East Devon thus restricting efforts to address areas of low skill, low wages, economic weakness and housing shortage, especially affordable housing.

"In addition, further pressure on jobs and housing could impact on new developments in the west of East Devon and Exeter Growth Area," adding that restrictions on development within the National Park could force it into other areas."

He added: "Sensitive but non-National Park designated areas of the district may come under increasing and concentrated development pressure."
Tim Hale, the chairman of the East Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said the group did not support the premise: "We would urge caution."

The estimated time to establish a park is about 10-20 years, and the Group is calling for extensive consultation. It seems as though this one could run and run.


                                                              http://jurassiccoast.org/

                                                       http://www.eastdevonaonb.org.uk/

                                                          http://www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/

                                                        http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/