Evidence, resourcing, and the way forward
The Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework (PLTOF) was published by Defra in January 2025 and sets ambitious targets under ten key themes for England’s 44 National Landscapes and National Parks. The framework sets a shared vision for our protected landscapes to contribute to the nation’s goals on nature recovery, climate resilience, and enhancing beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment.
The Protected Landscapes Partnership has worked to add value to the PLTOF, gathering views from across the protected landscapes and feeding these back to the Defra policy team to refine the targets. We have supported target apportionment and delivered workshops and advice to support National Landscape and National Park staff to interpret and use PLTOF data. We have also enhanced the data offering by promoting best-practice methods for data collection and producing supplementary data to add value, which teams are now collating as part of their normal work.
Since the framework’s publication, the area-based targets have been shared out between protected landscapes according to size and landscape type, and targets are incorporated into the latest round of area specific management plans. Two years of indicator data have been published, alongside a progress report which sets out how the targets will be measured and reported.
Now that delivery of the framework has truly begun, it feels like a good time to take stock. Do those working in protected landscapes have the evidence and the resources that they need, to drive delivery of these ambitious targets?
Taking stock - a deep dive into the detail
First, a report on the evidence base which sits behind the PLTOF. This assesses the suitability of PLTOF data to inform and drive delivery of the ten targets. In it, we outline the key data gaps and recommend priority actions for the sector to work together to fill these gaps.
Next, a briefing on the financial resources which will be needed to deliver PLTOF targets across England’s protected landscapes - the total estimated cost of delivering the seven nature-focused PLTOF targets is around £12.6 billion over 25 years. It includes recommendations for how existing and future funding streams should be structured and sustained to enable delivery of PLTOF nature restoration. This estimate includes project development and ongoing maintenance costs up to 2050 and highlights the non-financial resources needed, for example supply chains and the need for people with the right skills.
There is much to be done, and existing evidence and resource is not sufficient to enable the bold actions that will be needed to deliver on our shared goals. However, there is also great opportunity and a clear path forward. The PLTOF represents the first time that England’s 44 protected landscapes have a shared ambition for delivery. This represents a powerful opportunity to unite the sector and ensure that these treasured places are delivering on their huge potential for nature, climate and people, now and in the future.
Finally, the PLTOF sets targets for the protected landscapes as whole places. Although the teams who work in the landscapes play a vital role, they cannot do this alone. We call upon the whole sector – from central government, departments and public bodies, to landowners, conservation organisations and community groups – to rally behind these targets. And we call upon decision makers to ensure the PLTOF is evidenced, resourced and prioritised, to maximise its impact. If we get this right, our protected landscapes can fulfil their potential as a thriving network of critical national infrastructure. For people, nature, climate and place – valued by all, now and in the future.
More PLTOF reports from the Protected Landscapes Partnership:
Bridging the gap: building a stronger evidence base for the PLTOF (2-page summary)
