Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

Thank you for that helpful guidance, Madam Deputy Speaker. I oppose amendment (a). The effect of amendments (a) and (b)—if I make take them together, Madam Deputy Speaker—would be to exclude ““cultural heritage”” and promoting"““opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities by the public””" from the considerations that can inform the designation criteria for national parks. To turn first to amendment (a), I hope to persuade the House that cultural heritage has been at the core of our concept of national parks in England since the 1940s. It was recognised by the founding fathers of the national parks movement that England and Wales have nothing that approaches the wilderness areas that were being designated in the United States at the time. In England and Wales, it was always recognised that the most exceptional landscapes demonstrate a harmony between man and nature. That encompasses cultural heritage, which, as was rightly pointed out by the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), includes the built heritage produced by working the land. For example, hon. Members would agree that the Yorkshire Dales national park is outstanding. I would invite members to pause and reflect for a moment, as I speak, and imagine the quintessential Yorkshire dales landscape. I am sure that their thoughts would include a pattern of stone walls, field barns and farm houses—all part of the cultural heritage of the Yorkshire dales, which we should include as part of our purpose in designating national parks.