More development could be allowed in national parks, Boles says

Speaking during a debate in Parliament yesterday, Boles said that the importance of protecting national parks did not mean that there should not be economic and social development and growth within them.

"The beauty of the national park is the business of the national park and of the communities within it," Boles said. Communities within national parks "will retain their life and appeal only if they are allowed to change and develop, and if people can get jobs and set up business. That is a necessary underpinning to national parks," he added.

Boles called for a conversation with MPs and representatives of all national parks about "the balance between growth, economic and social development and the protection of the landscape, and whether current legislation properly captures what we are trying to achieve and what communities in national parks want".

He said he also wanted to discuss whether current arrangements for national parks planning policy "fully reflect the desire for a more localist planning policy".

Boles said he made "no promises" about what changes the Government might be inclined to support, and "when, if at all, they might be willing to act", but that he would approach the matter with "an open mind" and ask his officials to work up proposals.

"I should like to have a conversation with all the people who represent national parks, and with the national park authorities, to reach a better understanding of what we might do so that national parks remain the proudest jewels in the crown of the English and Welsh landscape, while also being living communities that grow, develop and thrive," Boles concluded.