The Government has published its response to the Landscapes Review – this is a chance to consider the future of our much-loved National Parks and Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONBs) in England. 

Locally, the South Downs, New Forest and our AONBs are some of our most celebrated landscapes – they make important contributions to our economy, society, health and wellbeing, as well as a part of our cultural identity. However, the independent review which published “next steps” for these protected places recognised that they should be better for wildlife and play a stronger role in nature's recovery as well do more to connect people with nature. 

The New Forest is prized for its unique habitats, 56% of it is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – more than any other national park in the country. But this natural asset is under constant and immense recreational pressure as the New Forest has the highest density of visitors per square mile of sensitive wildlife habitats. While the South Downs' agricultural landscape has previously left little room for nature within the National Park. To restore nature to its rightful place within these landscapes, we must see government investment in nature’s recovery, especially to help farmers transition to farming methods that allow wildlife to flourish alongside food production.  

The Government's response to the Landscapes Review has taken two years and there is now a consultation out on their proposed changes.  We are pleased to see that the Government agrees that far more should be done to restore nature in our National Parks and AONBs, but there's still a lack of urgency in the proposals to create the step change that our protected landscapes need to play a key role in nature’s recovery.  

Debbie Tann, Chief Executive at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust says: 

“Our National Parks should be amongst our country’s finest natural assets, forming the foundations of our Nature Recovery Network. But, as the government has acknowledged, they are currently a far cry from this. 

“The South Downs’ largely agricultural landscape currently fails to live up to its much wilder potential and the unique habitat of the New Forest, the most visited and densely-populated  National Park in England, is compromised daily by untenable recreational pressure.   

“To create a wilder future, we must see the government get to grips with these challenges and put nature’s recovery at the heart of our National Parks.” 

Just over a year ago, the Government made a commitment to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030 – asserting that National Parks and other similar places currently contribute significantly to the 26% of land they claim is protected. But decades of damaging agricultural policies coupled with lack of investment have left our National Parks in a poor state for nature. Just 53% of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) - the crown jewels of our natural heritage - within the South Downs and the New Forest are in ‘favourable’ condition. A recent report puts the real figure of land protected for nature in England at only 3%, not 26%.

You can respond to the consultation here.