Supporter, we’ve played a crucial role securing victory for National Parks in a landmark legal case!

Campaign for National Parks has intervened in and won a judicial review, which shows that the Government had been acting illegally when making planning decisions ignoring the duty to conserve and enhance Protected Landscapes.  

Government admitted it had acted illegally when deciding on a development in Dedham Vale National Landscape: 

The case sets a critical precedent for all of England’s 10 National Parks and 34 National Landscapes, making clear that all public bodies must comply with the law to further conservation and enhancement of these areas. 

Winning this case is highly significant as it sends a clear message to public bodies that there will be consequences if they fail to uphold this important new law. 

DEFENDING THE LAW

The new duty in question came into force on Boxing Day 2023 after decades of us campaigning for change which culminated in the creation of a new duty requiring all public bodies in England to take stronger action for Protected Landscapes. 

However, over the following year we’ve seen countless examples of Government departments and bodies, such as the Planning Inspectorate, Ofwat, water companies and National Highways, simply turning a blind eye and carrying on with business as usual. 

We will continue to push these and other organisations to take their new responsibilities seriously, including pursuing further legal challenges if needed. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

This was the first time in over 20 years that we had decided to take legal action and thanks to our supporters’ donations we were able to intervene and be the independent voice for National Parks in England. 

However, we may have won this battle, but we haven't won the war. There are still, and will continue to be, too many examples of public bodies ignoring the change in law and wreaking havoc on our Protected Landscapes.  

Winning this case shows that we can and must continue to fight for National Parks, but after incurring costs of nearly £10,000 our legal fighting fund is empty.  

Please enable us to continue to fund legal action where it is needed and be the independent voice for our Parks. Donate to our legal fighting fund today. 

Thank you for supporting our work, we really couldn't be the voice of National Parks without you.
Harriet Gardiner
Senior Communications Officer