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 a welcome for the Glover Review of Designated Landscapes (a great opportunity for Dorset), notes how a Dorset NP would work in partnership with the new Dorset Council, and features recent articles - including in Dorset Life. Click here to read the newsletter. #dorset #tourism #localgovtreorg #nationalpark #economy #devolution #purbeck #magazine #newsletter

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

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 letter below was prompted by an article in the Dorchester Echo. The letter received coverage in the Swanage and Wareham Advertiser. Dear Editor, Our county needs more genuinely affordable homes and the proposed Dorset National Park can help to secure them. National Parks have a duty to foster the economic and social wellbeing of their communities, and, as planning authorities for their area, to respond proactively to local housing needs and with a particular focus on the

The prospect of local government reorganisation presents an opportunity to move forward on the designation of a National Park. Changes to Local Planning Authority arrangements provide a logical context in which to develop a National Park Authority [NPA.] A NPA would bring a coherent, joined-up approach to planning across the National Park area, as well as policies and additional resources to benefit the area’s communities, economy, and environment. Cllr Robert Gould, the Lead