Rural charities have urged the Government not to undermine National Parks following the construction of a controversial mine in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors.
The open letter from 19 organisations, including the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the National Trust, calls for strong messages from Government to avoid undermining designated landscapes.
Concerns from the coalition of charities stem from a Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) select committee, held over the summer, which is considering a proposed new planning policy for nuclear disposal infrastructure.
Their report concluded that designated landscapes should not be ruled out as possible locations, putting at risk National Parks and farmers' livelihoods.
But the rural-based charities have slammed such "inappropriate development" in the countryside, using the example of Woodsmith Mine, opened in 2017.
The charities say the mine has caused negative environmental and landscape impacts.
'Peaceful agricultural land'
Woodsmith Mine is a deep potash and polyhalite mine located near to the hamlet of Sneatonthorpe, Whitby in North Yorkshire.
Because the project would require mining to be undertaken in the North York Moors National Park, many objections were raised from charities and local people.
The charities, in their open letter, say that even before full construction of the mine begun, "peaceful agricultural land" had been transformed into a large industrial complex.
The National Park Authority owns less than 1% of the North York Moors with some 80% in private ownership; owned in the main by private estates and farmers who manage the land to support grouse shooting and sheep farming.
Emma Marrington of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: "The Government’s commitment to conserve and enhance our most cherished landscapes mark a fantastic moment in history, but we need all ministers singing from the same hymn sheet.
"All designated landscapes, including National Parks, must continue to receive the highest level of protection if future generations are to have the same opportunities to enjoy their beauty and character as we do."
