PLANNING IN NATIONAL PARKS AND AREAS OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY

That this House recognises that National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are beautiful areas of countryside; further recognises that the quality of the environment in National Parks and AONBs is the underpinning for thousands of businesses; believes that sensitive spatial planning is required in order to reap continued economic and environmental benefits; notes that 90 per cent of planning applications in English National Parks are already approved; expresses concern at government proposals to extend permitted development rights to allow up to three additional dwellings to be built on the site of agricultural buildings without the need for planning permission; further believes that this risks significant damage to these precious landscapes, will impact negatively on the rural economy and undermine the ability of National Parks authorities to facilitate local needs affordable housing; calls on the Government to exempt National Parks and AONBs from this proposal; and encourages the Government and everyone with an interest in protecting the finest parts of the countryside to recognise the need for a different approach to planning within nationally protected landscapes.