No National Park status for Dorset

Dorset has not be chosen by Natural England

Author: Maria GreenwoodPublished 24th Jun 2021

Dorset won't be becoming a national park.

Natural England say Dorset is not one of the area's chosen to be carried forward for the status by the government.

Supporters believed it would have been good for the area's economy, boosting tourism and protecting towns and villages.

West Dorset MP Chris Loder has welcomed the decision.

Mr Loder received the news yesterday from Natural England confirming that a Dorset National Park was not chosen to progress this year, with Natural England instead focusing on designating areas in the Chilterns and the Surrey Hills, and creating two new AONBs in the Yorkshire Wolds and Cheshire Sandstone Ridge which Mr Loder says "is the right thing to do."

Mr Loder said;

"I have campaigned in the interested of local people for some time. While I understand there are benefits and weaknesses with a National Park, I believe the weaknesses outweigh the benefits with so much evidence pointing towards a lesser quality of life, less employment income and tougher business operating conditions. And with the coronavirus recovery taking place, this is the right thing for West Dorset."

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