Written question WQ82629

The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 places a duty on public bodies to have regard to conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of national parks, and of promoting opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of their special qualities by the public.

Representations received from national park authorities as part of a consultation on the proposals indicated problems with temporary non-ancillary car parks operating under the existing permitted 28 day allowance. They suggested an extension of time within which parking would be allowed would adversely affect the special qualities of the national parks and lead to more congestion, road safety concerns and undermine progress made in promoting sustainable travel options.

Having regard to the duty in the 1949 Act, non-ancillary car parks were excluded from the additional permitted development rights for temporary uses on land. Local Planning Authorities have however been advised to prioritise any planning applications that come forward and seek to support businesses where the planning impacts are acceptable, issuing short-term permissions with conditions to manage planning impacts which would be inappropriate on a permanent basis.