New measures TO strengthen the position of protected landscapes have been welcomed

Following their return to Westminster earlier this week, Members of Parliament reviewed the latest version of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, which includes an amendment to accelerate nature recovery and to better conserve and enhance the natural beauty of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).

This amendment will have a direct effect on Protected Landscapes in Yorkshire, such as the North York Moors National Park and the Howardian Hills AONB, by strengthening the obligations of relevant authorities, including local councils, to contribute to the delivery of the management plans of these areas.

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill has been long in the making and aims to reduce geographical disparities in the UK. In addition to the new rules about Protected Landscapes, the Bill sets out provisions relating to a range of issues, from local democracy and regeneration to planning and the environment, plus many other matters that affect people, not only in Yorkshire and the North, but also across the whole country.

The Bill requires public bodies exercising or performing any functions in relation to land in any National Park or AONB to further the purposes of these nationally-treasured landscapes.

Ellie Hook, Howardian Hills AONB Manager, said: "These new measures strengthen the position of AONBs, with more focus on the statutory purpose to conserve and enhance the area’s natural beauty and on enabling delivery of nature recovery."

Councillor George Jabbour, Vice Chair of the Joint Advisory Committee of the Howardian Hills AONB, added: "I welcome the requirement to take much greater action to support National Parks. However, I believe that the proportional impact of the proposed amendment could be even more material on AONBs because the current legislative framework has thus far resulted in many more powers, protections and resources being available to National Parks than to AONBs. Therefore, the suggested shift could prove to be more transformational for AONBs."