National Parks and National Landscapes are a huge part of the UK's shared heritage and play an important role in supporting our nation’s health and wellbeing. They are also crucial to delivering our commitments to tackle climate change and restore nature.
To support them in this role, the Government introduced measures in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 placing a stronger requirement on partners to deliver on the statutory purposes of these areas. This will ensure Protected Landscapes organisations and their partners collaborate effectively, creating a national network of beautiful, nature-rich spaces that can be enjoyed right across the country.
Earlier this year, the Government published its new Outcomes Framework. The Outcomes Framework defines the contribution that the UK's Protected Landscapes should make to national targets to guide local decision-making and prioritisation. This is a landmark step forward in achieving the Government's global goal to protect 30 per cent of land for nature by 2030.
I was pleased to hear the Government supported the creation of a new partnership between the National Association for AONBs, National Parks England, National Trails UK and Natural England to deliver a range of exciting projects and programmes on nature recovery and widening access to nature. The partnership will also boost opportunities for private sector investment in our Protected Landscapes. The first meeting of the partnership took place in November 2023, and has been backed by over £2m of funding.
Through the Access for All programme, the Government has distributed over £3.6m to the UK's National Parks and AONBs to deliver accessibility improvements across all 44 Protected Landscapes. This has resulted in more accessible paths, more Changing Places toilets and rest stops, more accessible physical and digital way-marking of paths including access guides for autistic and visually or hearing-impaired visitors, new equipment such as accessible e-bikes, or beach access kits and other accessible infrastructure such as upgraded bridges.
The Government has consulted on proposals to extend permitted development rights to support housing delivery and the agricultural sector. This includes proposals to extend permitted development rights (PDR) to allow farmers to convert agricultural buildings like barns to houses in national parks and other protected landscapes.
The Government is currently analysing responses to this consultation, which closed last year. This includes consideration of whether this PDR extension would conflict with the statutory purposes of protected landscapes.
