A real life 'Jurassic Park' covering East Devon could soon be created

A real life 'Jurassic Park' covering Dorset and East Devon could be created.

An independent review undertaken last year by Julian Glover into National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty noted there was potential for a new National Park to be formed from the combination of the Dorset AONB and the East Devon AONB.

The Glover review of protected landscapes in England is set to be discussed by East Devon District Council's Strategic Planning Committee next Tuesday. They are recommended by officers to endorse all of the recommendations of the Glover report on protected landscapes in England but to await for the Governments response to them.

Under Proposal 20, it reviews the potential for new National Parks to be designated and advises that three of the larger AONBs should be considered for National Park status.

The three AONBs that the report explicitly comments on are The Chilterns, The Cotswolds and the combined area of Dorset AONB and East Devon AONB.

Referring to the area, it states: "Dorset and East Devon have some of the greatest concentrations of biodiversity in Britain and opportunities for enjoyment. It includes the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site as well as farmed areas inland where development pressures are less strong and support for a change in status may be less established.

"We heard from opponents as well as supporters of a new status. Both the Cotswolds and the Dorset/East Devon proposals are strong candidates, alongside the Chilterns, to be considered for National Park status. We suggest Natural England and ministers consider the case for each."

A report of Ed Freeman, service lead, to the meeting reminds the committee that around two thirds of East Devon falls in designated AONBs. It adds: "The Glover report therefore has a specific and direct relevance to our district and its outstanding landscape qualities. It is highlighted that the Glover report notes potential for a new National Park to be formed from the combination of the Dorset AONB and the East Devon AONB.

"It is stressed that the Glover review is a report to Government and is not a consultation document. It is expected that the government will formally respond to the Glover report outlining any actions it may wish to take forward."

The Glover review refers to the potential for a new National Park to include the East Devon AONB, but not the Blackdown Hills AONB, but Mr Freeman's report adds: "If proposals for a new National Park were progressed, it could be expected that that there would be a lengthy period of assessment, including in respect of boundaries, along with public consultation before any proposal led to formal designation."

If a new National Park was to be created, there may be direct and indirect benefits, such as greater tourism activity, his report states, but adds that there could also be cost implications, which may fall nationally or locally, and there would be power by transferred from the district council to another body.

The report adds: "In governing body operational terms, the fundamental difference between National Parks and AONBs is that a National Park Authority is the statutory planning authority for the designated area. If a new National Park were created, assuming any relevant legislation and powers follow the pattern elsewhere in the country, a new park authority would be responsible for producing a local plan and planning policy documents and also for determining planning application and allied tasks."

Other proposals in the Glover Review relevant to East Devon include a strengthened place for national landscapes in the planning system with AONBs given statutory consultee status, a 1,000-strong professional nationwide ranger service across the 44 national designated landscapes, and AONBs strengthened with new purposes, powers and resources and a new financial model with more money for AONBs, doubling from the current national £6.7 million to £13.4 million.

Last year, Devon County Council discussed supporting the establishment of a Dorset and East Devon National Park.

Cllr Martin Shaw, who had proposed supporting the establishment of a Dorset and East Devon National Park, said that the case for it will need to be made and evidence for it will be needed, but that creating a National Park would ensure the area remains as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The council agreed though that any expression of support for the establishment of a Dorset and East Devon National Park should be deferred until the overriding benefit was clearly demonstrated and that it would come from additional funding.

East Devon District Council's strategic planning committee will discuss the Glover Review at its meeting on Tuesday, October 22.