The Dorset National Park Team and Dorset CPRE would wish a National Park to include as much as possible of the Dorset Council area. You can read HERE an independent study for Dorset CPRE, by a respected Dorset planner, setting out the strong and persuasive case for the inclusion of all rural Dorset on Natural England’s National Park designation criteria: landscape, biodiversity, cultural heritage and recreational opportunities.

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This approach would strongly resonate with the national policy context and directly help address key priorities and concerns, including the Government’s commitment to create new National Parks, designate 30% of England’s land area for nature by 2030 (“30 by 30”), address the climate and nature emergencies, better connect people to nature including for health and wellbeing, and pursue opportunities for a successful, thriving, greener economic future.

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A Dorset National Park would make a major contribution to all these priorities and concerns. A National Park would bring clear benefits for all rural Dorset and its communities. It would work in close and supportive partnership with the Dorset Council (which would remain the lead local authority), communities, businesses, farmers and other stakeholders, to help secure a thriving, prosperous, successful and sustainable future for Dorset’s communities, economy, environment and heritage.

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The proposal originally submitted to Natural England in 2013 covered the Dorset AONB and East Devon AONB (which together cover the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast), and Thomas Hardy’s “Egdon Heath”. Since then, several areas have expressed their support for the proposed National Park and their wish to be included. These include Portland, Sturminster Newton and the Puddletown Area Parishes.

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For further information about the proposal, including Newsletters, independent assessments and case studies, see HERE.