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Somerset Levels Eye National Park Status for Centenary
17 Apr
Summary
- Somerset Levels, UK's largest wetland, is proposed as the 16th National Park.
- CPRE is campaigning for this designation to mark its 100th anniversary.
- National Park status aims to boost local economy and enhance nature protections.
A countryside organization is launching a campaign to designate the Somerset Levels as the United Kingdom's 16th National Park. This initiative by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) in Somerset coincides with the organization's 100th anniversary. The Somerset Levels, recognized as the UK's largest lowland wetland, are used as vital flood plains during winter months.
The CPRE, founded in 1926, sees this as a significant way to honor its founders' legacy of advocating for national parks and landscape protection. While acknowledging the process could take several years, the organization believes the area possesses substantial potential to benefit the local economy, improve natural habitats, and allow more people to enjoy the unique landscape.
Bron Purkiss, a trustee, highlighted that currently only 13% of the area has designated wildlife protections. National Park status would provide a dedicated planning authority to oversee developments and enhance existing conservation work by various wildlife trusts and advisory groups. This designation is expected to strengthen these efforts and provide greater oversight for the land's future.
