Natural England - National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty new designations
National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty new designations
Natural England has a statutory duty under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 to, from time to time, consider which areas in England meet the criteria for designation as a National Park, to consider in which order they should be designated, and to proceed with their designation at such time as we may determine.
In the Summer of 2009 Natural England completed work started by the Countryside Agency in April 2000 to designate the South Downs as a National Park and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has now signed an order confirming the designation. To find out more about the South Downs designation visit the South Downs pages of this website.
Natural England also has a statutory power to designate land as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.