Ahead of May’s general election, the coalition aims to raise the profile of landscape and to emphasise the importance of landscapes to our wellbeing, environment and economy.

With ongoing speculative development in and around sensitive areas, such as National Parks and AONBs, the varied group of organisations believes that it is vital for future government policy and funding to reflect the extraordinary value of landscapes.

The Landscapes for Everyone vision is supported in parliament today by Natural Environment Minister Lord de Mauley, Shadow Minister for Natural Environment Barry Gardiner MP, and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Environmental Affairs Baroness Parminter. The vision calls for better landscapes for people, better planning for landscape and better places for nature.

Lord de Mauley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Natural Environment and Science, comments:

“Our beautiful landscapes provide not only outside spaces for people to enjoy, they are also valuable in their own right and integral to tourism, to rural economic growth and to people’s health and wellbeing. I want to see our countryside continuing to contribute to the economy, whilst ensuring our much valued landscapes remain protected.”

Howard Davies, Chief Executive, National Association for AONBs, comments:

“Our landscapes reflect our collective past and determine our future quality of life. Landscapes are about people and places, are fundamental to our health and well-being, and are an important part of our identity. It is critically important that the value of landscape is recognised in decision making locally and nationally.”

Rachel Stancliffe, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, comments:

“The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare supports Landscapes for Everyone as it is vital to protect and enhance natural places, both to benefit people's health and for the wellbeing of the planet.”

Peter Nixon, Director of Land, Landscapes and Nature, National Trust, comments:

“From the public park to the National Park, and the historic townscape to the natural seascape, Britain has extraordinarily varied landscapes, which provide limitless opportunities for enjoyment, exploration and inspiration. But they are threatened as never before by inappropriate development and lack of resourcing.

“As organisations, we’ve come together to ask Government and political parties to celebrate landscapes, and to show their commitment to a better future for these areas, that have inspired generations of people.”

Stuart Brooks, Chief Executive, John Muir Trust, comments:

“Our wellbeing now and in the future depends on having access to wild places, which are vital for nature to thrive and people to restore their spirits.”

Julian Woolford, Chief Executive, Campaign for National Parks, comments:

“National Parks are ‘living landscapes’ making a significant contribution to the economy through tourism, farming and other related businesses as well as containing breathtaking scenery, rare wildlife and cultural heritage.”

Shaun Spiers, Chief Executive, Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), comments:

“For far too long, England’s landscapes have been undervalued given the understandable focus on economic recovery. But beautiful landscapes and a strong economy go together. CPRE believes that government at all levels needs to do more to ensure our diverse landscapes survive and thrive, and to support local communities in safeguarding them. We are calling on all political parties to commit to the calls to action in Landscapes for Everyone.”