Boundary Reviews
In addition to its statutory powers to designate National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in England, Natural England may also vary a National Park boundary using powers granted under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and an AONB Designation Order under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Any boundary change made through these powers will be set out in a (Boundary) Variation Order.
In 2009/2010, Natural England undertook a regional consultation on its draft methodology for designating land as a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty alongside revised boundaries for extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks (see the Lakes to Dales Landscape Designation Project pages of this website for more information on this project). Having considered the responses and officer recommendations from this regional consultation at it’s July 2010 meeting, the Natural England board agreed to a further consultation to consult with a limited range of statutory consultees and their representative bodies (board paper NEB PU21 03).
This consultation has now taken place and the outcomes are being considered with a view to publishing a final version of the guidance in 2011.
Areas currently being considered for designation
Natural England is currently considering specific land areas in its North West region as possible extensions to the existing Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks under the Lakes to Dales Landscape Designation Project.
For further information on our general approach on protected landscapes (National Parks, AONBs and Heritage Coasts) see our June 2010 protected landscapes paper
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