Dorset’s environment is our greatest asset, and a healthy natural environment is fundamental to everyone’s health, wealth and happiness.

A Briefing Update The Glover Review was asked to consider how our designated landscapes (National Parks and AONBs), could do even more for our communities, local economy and environment in the 21st century. It proposes that Dorset as well as the Cotswolds and Chilterns should be considered for National Park status. Many organisations and individuals across Dorset and further afield hope the Dorset Council will seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure a National Par

The following discussion on BBC Politics South sets out why the proposed Dorset & East Devon National Park is the outstanding candidate to be England’s next National Park. The discussion includes supportive contributions from John Glenn, the Conservative MP for Salisbury and a Treasury Minister, and Alan Whitehead, the Labour MP for Southampton Test and the opposition spokesperson on Energy and Climate Change. #dorset #government #environment #eastdevon #video #nationalpark #

Our latest newsletter includes updates on key developments including the Glover Review, a feature on Dorset’s climate emergency and a summary of the economic benefits and opportunities which a National Park would bring to all of Dorset. Read the newsletter HERE. #dorset #newsletter #environment #government #support #marine #farming #nationalpark

The Dorset Council has declared a climate emergency. The next Council meeting will discuss climate change and also preparations for the Local Plan required by 2024. In both these areas, the proposed Dorset National Park would be a close, supportive partner for the DC, and bring additional resources and wider benefits for all rural Dorset, regardless of the area of the National Park. The Proposed Dorset National Park The Dorset National Park Proposal was submitted in response

The Dorset National Park Team congratulates all those successful in the local elections. We look forward to working with the Dorset Council and communities to secure Dorset’s long-overdue National Park, a designation that would keep our environment special and help our communities and economy to be thriving, successful and sustainable. Dorset’s environment and heritage are loved by the people of Dorset: 94% of Dorset residents say a high-quality natural environment is of grea

Our latest newsletter includes an update on the Glover Review of Designated Landscapes (a great opportunity for Dorset), information on how a Dorset NP would work to benefit communities and also includes answers to some frequently asked questions. Click here to read the newsletter. #dorset #nationalpark #government #farming #newsletter #economy #environment #biodiversity

The Dorset National Park Team welcomes the statement by Michael Gove, Secretary of State for DEFRA, that the Government’s review of designated areas to be led by Julian Glover will consider whether more national parks are needed. A Dorset National Park was first proposed along with others which have subsequently gone ahead in a Government report of 1945. For reasons specific to the time it was not then progressed. But now there is cross-county and cross-party support for cons

A Dorset National Park will be a strategic asset and partner for the Dorset Council, communities and business. It will promote a thriving and successful, living, working rural Dorset. National Parks are a proven and successful business model for a rural economy where sustainable growth is linked to caring for our greatest economic asset - our environment and natural capital. The Government in its 25 Year Environment Plan (YEP) notes the achievements of National Parks in suppo

The Dorset National Park Team welcomes the government's commitment to "Conserve and enhance the natural beauty of our landscapes by reviewing National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) for the 21st century, including assessing whether more may be needed." Dorset's case for National Park designation is strong and amply demonstrated, as evidence and studies on this website show. We look forward to Natural England's further assessment of the proposal later th

The Secretary of State has said that he is minded to approve proposals for a move to 2 unitary authorities: one for the conurbation and one for Shire Dorset. Any reduction from 9 councils to 2 aims to improve efficiency, save costs, reduce staff and councillors and free up assets so as to improve the financial position and provision of services across Shire Dorset. The proposed Dorset National Park would be an asset and an efficient, close partner to the Unitary and help deli

The number of communities and societies expressing their interest in the Dorset National Park proposal continues to grow. We all look forward to Natural England undertaking their next assessment in 2018. Resolutions and messages recently received by the National Park Team include the following: Char Valley Group PC (comprising the parishes of Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St Gabriel) At their June Council meeting, Char Valley Parish Council agreed to

At a full Council meeting on Tuesday 8th August, Purbeck District Councillors voted unanimously to support a recommendation that “Council notes with interest the Dorset National Park proposal and the opportunities this could offer to keep Purbeck special; keeps the proposals under review; and looks forward to Natural England undertaking the next stage of its evaluation in 2018." The vote followed a detailed appraisal of the proposals by a policy development panel of Councillo

The momentum grows for a Dorset National Park as more societies and communities express their interest in and support for the proposal. Recent, messages of support to the National Park Team include the following: The Thomas Hardy Society: "The Thomas Hardy Society is fully supportive of the Dorset National Park proposal and looks forward to Natural England’s further assessment." The Marine Conservation Society: "The Dorset Coast is rich in biodiversity, and is just as

#news #environment #economy #government #bridport #lymeregis

Chideock parish councillors have been joined by members of the Chideock Society in expressing support for the proposed Dorset National Park. At a well-attended parish council meeting, interested villagers joined councillors to hear a presentation on the National Park proposal and resolved unanimously to welcome the opportunities a National Park could offer Dorset and to invite Natural England to take its assessment of the proposal to the next stage. Chideock councillors welco