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 & East Devon National Park could be the first to help bring together off-shore and on-shore designations in a more coordinated way. This report notes the current position and suggests how a National Park partnership approach could add value and bring benefits. Read the report HERE We welcome views on this discussion paper. Image courtesy of Ben Buxton #marine #dorset #nationalpark #eastdevon #support

The following summarises the case for the Dorset & East Devon National Park. “Dorset and E Devon is the outstanding candidate for National Park status” This view is widely supported and is based on: The outstanding quality of the environment and landscape which embraces the UNESCO World Heritage “Jurassic” Coast - the only World Heritage designation for the natural environment in England (that for the Lake District relates to local culture); Dorset contains much of what is le

Below is an excerpt from an article on the South Downs National Park website. “We want to introduce ourselves to the people who enjoy spending time here and end the perception that farmers are old-fashioned or unapproachable.” Dominic Gardner is part of a network of National Park farmers staring in short films about their work. “Being a farmer makes you very aware that we’re only here for a short time but what we do can have a massive impact,” says Dominic Gardner, who runs L

By Professor Michael Dower, CBE Last month’s edition of Dorset Life concluded that “almost irrespective of the detail, a Dorset National Park would be good for Dorset.” This has now become a live issue, following the announcement by Michael Gove that he has asked Julian Glover to lead a national review including the potential for new National Parks. This review, which I strongly welcome, offers Dorset the opportunity to complete unfinished business from 70 years ago… as I kno

The Times reported that a major study has shown that four out of the five most biodiverse areas in the country are in Dorset. A National Park would help conserve and enhance these areas and increase understanding and awareness on their very special qualities. Below is an excerpt from the article written by Jerome Starkey, The Times countryside correspondent. Isle of Purbeck revealed to be UK’s little square of loveliness Half a dozen sika deer bounded down the hill, past the

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

This will be an important year as we look forward to Natural England's next evaluation of the proposal, submitted in 2013, for a National Park, covering the Dorset and East Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and what remains of Thomas Hardy's Egdon Heath. Do please help spread the word about the great opportunities a national park offers to our communities and businesses (including farmers, landowners and all those in the tourism sector) as well as conserving

Happy New Year from the Dorset National Park team. We hope you enjoy this video, will share it with others and use it to help promote our great county. 2018 will be an important year for the future of the Dorset National Park as we look forward to Natural England’s next evaluation. If you can help us, this is the year to further spread the word and persuade others about the great opportunities a National Park can offer Dorset’s communities and economy, businesses including

The Pressures on Rural Dorset For many decades Sir David Attenborough has stated his concerns about the effects of population growth on our planet. In his view, there is no major problem facing our planet that would not be easier to solve if there were fewer people; and no problem that does not become harder with ever more people (1). In the September issue of the Dorset Wildlife Trust's e-newsletter, its Chief Executive, Simon Cripps, repeats this concern: "Too many people o

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

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