RDAs and National Park Authorities:Co-operation

House of Lords written question – answered at on 13 July 2000.

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Photo of Lord Judd Lord Judd Labour

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they are taking to ensure co-operation between Regional Development Agencies and National Park Authorities to guarantee the protection and enhancement of the purposes of national parks.

Photo of Lord Whitty Lord Whitty Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions)

The statutory purposes of Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) apply as much in relation to the rural parts of their areas as to the non-rural parts. The statutory guidance on the preparation of RDAs' strategies states that RDAs should take account of the particular features of the region's rural areas. Supplementary policy and programme guidance has also been issued to RDAs. This provides material on rural policy, including information about the main rural partners with which RDAs will wish to co-operate, including National Park Authorities.

Section 62 of the Environment Act 1995 also places a general duty on relevant authorities, including the RDAs as public bodies, to have regard to the statutory purposes for which the National Parks are designated. This ensures that the RDAs take account of these purposes when coming to decisions or carrying out their activities relating to or within the National Parks

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