Who looks after National Parks?

Each National Park has its own National Park Authority (NPA). NPAs are established by law and have two main purposes, which are:

  1. to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park; and
  2. to promote opportunities for the public to understand and enjoy the National Park.

If there is irreconcilable conflict between the two purposes, priority is given to the first one, namely conservation and enhancement of natural beauty.

Wandale, Howgill Fells, with Yorkshire Dales National Park in the background © Natural England Simon Warner

NPAs are the sole planning authority for their area. They have responsibility for preparing Local Development Frameworks (which set out the strategic policy for development) and for development control (making decisions on individual planning applications). This allows them to protect National Parks from inappropriate development in line with their statutory purpose to conserve and enhance natural beauty.

Once designated, National Parks continue to be living and working landscapes. Because of this, NPAs have a duty to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of their local communities. This duty is achieved by, for example:

  • giving advice and support to people and organisations who look after the landscape;
  • developing planning policies that help deliver well designed, affordable housing;
  • providing financial support for innovative local projects and initiatives that promote sustainable living and working in National Parks; and
  • helping businesses to take advantage of the special qualities of the National Park by supporting sustainable tourism.

District and County Councils continue to perform all the other functions of local government (eg. education, transport and waste). However, any public body taking a decision or undertaking activity that affects land in a National Park is obliged to have regard to National Park purposes when carrying out their work.

National Park Authorities are funded entirely by a central government grant. They also raise additional income from other grants, fees and trading activities.

For examples of work undertaken by National Park Authorities visit: www.nationalparks.gov.uk or the websites of the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District.