Countryfile's Ben Fogle Becomes President of The Council For National Parks
17/07/2007
Ben Fogle becomes the new President of the Council for National Parks (CNP) on Wednesday, 18 July, following in the footsteps of Brian Blessed who has been President for the last 6 years.
As a regular presenter on BBC television's Countryfile programme Ben is a frequent visitor to the National Parks and says they hold a special attraction for him. Ben says, "I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to take over as President of the Council for National Parks. Brian Blessed has left some very big shoes to fill indeed. As a keen walker, adventurer and advocate of the countryside I believe the work of CNP is vital for the continuing conservation of our world class National Parks."
He continued, "Becoming President of the Council for National Parks exactly 60 years after the publication of the Hobhouse Report (3), which first published a list of areas considered worthy of National Park status is an honour. Of these only the South Downs remains undesignated and I am determined to take up the baton offered by my predecessor Brian Blessed who has been a passionate campaigner for its designation".
Ben, has joined forces with other national countryside organisations to urge a speedy conclusion to the long-running designation process and calling into question the possible alternative boundary for the South Downs National Park, which has attracted much public concern.
The government has published a further consultation (4) on the designation of the South Downs as a National Park, including the report of the independent inspector at the public inquiry which ran from November 2003 to March 2005. The inspector has recommended that the South Downs National Park should be confirmed and that an additional 25km2 should be included within the boundary. However, the government is also consulting on a possible alternative boundary between Petersfield and Pulborough which could result in a large area of the western Weald not being included within the National Park. The Inspector also proposed excluding the settlements of Lewes, Steyning, Arundel and Ditchling.
Ben commented, "We are delighted that the inspector has recommended that the South Downs should become England's 10th National Park. However, his radical proposals to exclude a large chunk of the Low Weald in Hampshire and West Sussex would be a missed opportunity to protect this beautiful countryside for future generations".
As well as supporting the designation of the South Downs as a National Park Ben hopes to use his Presidency of the Council for National Parks to encourage more young people to enjoy and care for the National Parks. He concludes, "We must ensure the future of our National Parks. When so much of this glorious land is turning grey, it is now more important than ever to protect our great green heritage".