Written question asked by Lord Judd (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 October 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 October 2017. It was answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 October 2017 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

National Parks

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to ensure that, in arrangements for strategic planning in the UK, all proposed developments in areas adjacent to National Parks are required to take into account any negative consequences for the special qualities of National Parks, in particular their scenic views.

Answer: The government is committed to making sure that national parks are subject to the highest protection in national planning policy, including on cross boundary issues. Local planning authorities, in preparing their plans, have a legal duty under the Localism Act 2011 to engage constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis to maximise the effectiveness of local plan preparation in the context of strategic cross boundary matters. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that great weight should be given, by local authorities when setting out their plans, to conserving landscape and scenic beauty in national parks and the Broads. In addition, national park authorities are statutory consultees on any planning application where development is likely to affect land in a national park.

Secondary information