The history of the Campaign for National Parks
The Campaign for National Parks is the only national charity dedicated to campaigning to protect and promote all the National Parks of England and Wales.
Picture yourself in a national park – do you imagine a sense of freedom, spaciousness and natural beauty?
Luckily today we’re all able to explore some of the most beautiful areas of our countryside. But this wasn’t always the case. During the early 20th century, after years of industrialisation and the growth of urban settlements, people began to want access to some of Britain’s stunning landscapes.
So in 1936 a group of dedicated outdoor enthusiasts got together to ensure that the most precious parts of Britain’s countryside were preserved for everyone to enjoy.
For the last 80 years we’ve been campaigning to strengthen the powers of National Parks, been vigilant in monitoring the Parks against damaging developments and promoted National Parks for the enjoyment of everyone.
Starting from our most recent campaigns, check out the timeline on the right hand side to see what the Campaign for National Parks has achieved over the last 80 years.
Timeline of the achievements of the Campaign for National Parks
2015: By campaigning with 38 Degrees, we had success for our Stop the Cuts campaign as over £350 million of funding for English National Parks, AONBs and public forests was protected.
2015: Hurrah! After many years of campaigning, the Lakes to Dales extensions were finally given the go ahead!
2014: We secured an exemption to stop barns being converted into houses without planning permission in National Parks.
2012: After years of campaigning we were extremely pleased that Ofgem agreed a £500 million allowance to be used by National Grid in protected areas to find alternatives for pylons in National Parks.
2010: Finally! After a very long campaign, the South Downs was confirmed as a National Park.
2000s
2009: We celebrated the news that plans to build the controversial A628 Mottram Tintwistle bypass in the Peak District had been withdrawn. We’d been battling against this for over 30 years.2005: We were over the moon that with the help of our campaigning, the first National Park of the 21st century was designated: The New Forest.
1990s
1999: It felt like our hard work was finally going to pay off - we were all fingers crossed that the South Downs and New Forest would be designated as National Parks after the deputy prime minister said the Countryside Agency should consider these areas for National Park Status.1995: National Park Authorities became independent authorities – something we had led the parliamentary campaign on for a number of years with our vice presidents, Lord Norrie and Sir Chris Bonington.
1980s
1988: Hurrah! We were involved in the Broads Bill which gave the Broads National Park equivalent status.1970s
1977: We changed our name – but not our intentions – from the Standing Committee on National Parks to the Council (and now Campaign!) for National Parks.1974: The National Parks Policy Review Committee made a recommendation of the Sandford Principal – stating, “where irreconcilable conflicts exist between conservation and public enjoyment, then conservation interest should take priority."
1960s
1968: The Countryside Act was passed – a real success for recognising the importance of our natural spaces.1950s
After years of hard work, we were delighted that the first National Parks in England and Wales were designated. By the end of the 1950s, 10 National Parks were established: the Peak District, the Lake District, Snowdonia, Dartmoor, Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland and the Brecon Beacons.1940s
1949: Finally! We celebrated our first success - the passing of the National Parks and Countryside Rights of Way Act which enabled the designation of National Parks.1930s
1936: On the 26 May 1936, we held our first meeting lobbying for National Parks to be established.
