Government commitment welcomed, but funding reassurance needed
Today’s commitment by the government to working with National Landscapes teams to build strong protected landscapes is welcome. This announcement, marking the 75th anniversary of the passing of landmark legislation that led to the creation of National Landscapes and National Parks, will help set them on their way for another 75 years. We champion the value and potential of these places, and we welcome that this government wants to get on board and do their bit.
Last year Parliament introduced a law which requires the government, local authorities and water companies, amongst others, to further the purposes of designated landscapes. This law is now supported by guidance which makes it clear they must take an active role in the conservation and enhancement of these precious landscapes. The regulations which follow will need to be robust and be properly enforced.
National Landscapes are visited by millions of people every year; more than the number of visitors to National Parks. New purposes is one way the vital role of these places for the wellbeing of the nation can be recognised and then properly delivered. It is much harder for National Landscapes teams to provide the facilities, information and management for the many visitors they welcome each year when this is not considered one of their purposes.
With their renaming in 2023, National Landscapes teams were already looking forward. The National Landscapes Association’s recently announced its strategy for 2025-31 where we reaffirm our commitment to beautiful landscapes where people and nature thrive together.
The financial future for National Landscapes is less secure however, and we are seeking urgent reassurance that core staffing levels can be maintained. National Landscapes teams are often in single figures. National Landscapes cover 14% of the land area of England and are expected, and want, to play an outsize role in delivering international targets on nature recovery and mitigating the effects of climate change. To do this, they need to be financially secure with increased unrestricted funding to provide skilled jobs in rural communities.
25 years ago the then new Labour Government was advised by the Countryside Commission to increase funding for National Landscapes to £19m (£35m in today’s money), but they didn’t heed that advice. 25 years later, we are in the same situation with a new Labour government, but with the threat of further cuts in the face of a nature and climate crisis. We are calling on the government to truly invest in nature.
The National Landscapes Association and National Landscapes teams with their local knowledge and expertise already deliver on nature restoration, climate change mitigation and access for all. This government now signalling they too want to play their part is a welcome boost to these ambitious and hard working teams.