Wednesday, 10 October 2018

Support growing for a Jurassic National Park > although County Council not convinced

There is serious interest in a new national park in these parts:
Futures Forum: Support growing for a Jurassic National Park > the government's review of national parks has "cross-county and cross-party support for conserving and enhancing a landscape that includes the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, inland Ridgeways and the area of Thomas Hardy’s novels"

Although not everyone has been keen - including the political leadership in East Devon:
Futures Forum: National Park for East Devon and Dorset: “It is an opportunistic type of approach that people in Dorset are taking about our assets here in East Devon.”

However, it is not only 'people in Dorset' who are talking about assets in Devon.
Futures Forum: Support growing for a Jurassic National Park > motion to be put to county council

County Councillor Martin Shaw has put proposals to Devon: 

I make the case for a Dorset and East Devon National Park at the County Council, who will invite national review panel to visit

POSTED ON OCTOBER 5, 2018

Yesterday Devon County Council agreed a recommendation to invite the review panel on national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty, recently established by the government, to visit Devon. This was in response to a motion I proposed supporting the idea of a Dorset and East Devon National Park. I explained my support in a speech which you can see on the webcast.


I make the case for a Dorset and East Devon National Park at the County Council, who will invite national review panel to visit « SEATON & COLYTON matters

Although, as the East Devon Watch blog noted, it is going to be difficult to convince certain voices in East Devon:
New National Park for East Devon? Not while people like Diviani are councillors! | East Devon Watch

The press reports on the luke-warm response:
New national park could be created in East Devon - Devon Live 

Cautious councillors defer Jurassic Park

Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 5:08pm

By Sam Sterrett with Daniel Clark, local democracy reporter



Case not yet made for National Park across East Devon and Dorset

A new national park could be created along the Jurassic coast - but not for a while, after Devon County Council decided not to press ahead with a case until someone comes up with clear benefits - and money.

Councillor Martin Shaw had called for Devon County Council to support the establishment of a Dorset and East Devon National Park and to submit a case for this to the DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) review of national parks.

If the area became a national park, it would give the highest status of protection as far as landscape and scenic beauty are concerned and gives a national part authority very strong direct control over residential and industrial development, and the design of buildings and other structures; as well as strategic matters such as mineral extraction.

Councillor Rob Hannaford said: “If it does happen, it should have additional funding so it doesn’t dilute the work that the existing national parks in Exmoor and Dartmoor are doing. If it happens, it should come with new money.”

Right now, Britain has 15 national parks, but Defra is reviewing them. The one spanning East Devon and Dorset will surely have the most enthralling name of all, encompassing the Jurassic Coast. How long before the government authorises the real Jurassic Park?


Cautious councillors defer Jurassic Park - Radio Exe
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