National Parks
Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire, Liberal Democrat)
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications Natural England is considering for the designation of a national park; and for which areas such applications have been made.
Richard Benyon (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Natural Environment and Fisheries), Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Newbury, Conservative)
Natural England is not currently considering any new national park designations. However, following extensive public consultation, Natural England has recently proposed extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend Mrs Spelman. Full details are available on the Natural England website.