Government responds to the review on Natural Landscapes

The Glover Review on Natural Landscapes, which has been delayed due to the pandemic, has now been published.

There is a strong tourism-related focus in the response, including a specific section on Sustainable Tourism that links to DCMS’s tourism recovery plan. The section acknowledges the impact that tourism can have on the natural landscape and sets out a number of power that the Government is considering making available to National Park Authorities and the Broads Authority to help manage visitor pressure. These are powers to:

  • Issue Fixed Penalty Notices for byelaw infringements – this would simplify the process and reduce enforcement costs. Increasing the penalties would also act as a stronger deterrent and provide reassurance to local communities.
  • Make Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) – this would reduce administration costs where multiple local authorities have jurisdiction across a National Park and ensure there is a consistent approach where PSPOs are deemed necessary to deter genuinely antisocial behaviour. This would only be used following consultation with LAs.
  • Issue Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to control the amount and type of traffic on roads – this would help to tackle and deter problems caused by vehicles that could lead to damage to sensitive environments or wildlife and allow National Park Authorities to respond more quickly to emerging traffic issues.
  • There is also a section on strengthening the secondary purpose of protected landscapes like AONBs to improve connections to all parts of society, and reforming planning including the intend to review the NPPF. There will now be a consultation on the Government’s response, with submissions due on 9 April 2022.