Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s leaders are urging the government to keep a planning rule that helps to protect England’s national parks from new development. 

The law currently says public bodies must aim to “further the purpose of” national landscapes like the North Wessex Downs, which cover around a third of the borough of Basingstoke and Deane.  

The downs famously inspired and feature in beloved novel Watership Down. Their ancient woodlands, globally rare chalk streams and other biodiverse habitats play an important role in supporting native wildlife and encouraging nature recovery. 

But recent reports including in The Times suggest the government is considering changing that duty in the planning and infrastructure bill to “have regard to”, potentially paving the way for new roads and housing developments in the downs and England’s other national landscapes. 

Seeking clarity, the Leader of the Council Cllr Paul Harvey and Co-Leader Cllr Gavin James have written to the government to ask for a public commitment ruling out any proposal to water down or remove the current wording that helps to protect these areas.  

The leaders also invited the government to discussions about working together with the council to grow the borough’s economy while protecting its natural environment. 

Cllr Paul Harvey said: “We are lucky that the beautiful North Wessex Downs pass through our borough and we must protect this valuable local landscape, which is home to rare habitats including some of the world’s most important chalk streams and rivers.

“Given that loosening the protections for national landscapes like these to allow more homes and infrastructure would be nothing short of environmental vandalism, neither I nor the co-leader genuinely believe the government would propose such a move. But with the recent press coverage, for the sake of clarity we’re asking them publicly to rule out any such change entirely. 

Cllr Gavin James said: “The current protected landscapes duty helps to encourage nature recovery, clean up water, improve long-term food security and restore and enhance habitats in the North Wessex Downs as one of England’s most-loved landscapes. 

“The government has already said suggestions it could weaken this environmental protection are pure speculation. I am therefore looking forward to a timely public statement that confirms this duty will stay as it is and puts a permanent end to any rumours or uncertainty.”  

The council is one of nine local authorities that sit on the North Wessex Downs Council of Partners, whose 35 members are responsible for managing the national landscape. 

The North Wessex Downs was formerly designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) until November 2023 when it – along with all other AONBs – became known as a national landscape. 

More information about the borough’s natural environment and how the council helps to protect it is at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/natural-environment