Natural England

Natural England (21 November) welcomes today’s ratification by the UK government of the Council of Europe’s European Landscape Convention (ELC) - the first international convention to focus specifically on landscape. It provides a basis for closer co-operation on landscape issues across Europe. For example, it will help raise best practice in the planning, protection and management of landscapes.

Natural England will be working with government and others in England and across UK to develop an implementation strategy to help promote and develop the principles of the ELC further through our own work and advice, and with stakeholders and the public.

Natural England’s Director of Policy Andrew Wood said: “This is good news for landscape and Natural England. Effective, forward looking sustainable planning and management of landscapes everywhere will be at the heart of Natural England’s work, for the delivery of a better natural environment and the wider benefits that distinctive landscapes brings to people and places.”

The ELC defines landscape as ‘an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors’. It is based on the premise that landscape, whatever quality, whether rural or urban, built or natural should be recognised, understood and fully integrated into policy and decision-making. It recognises that landscape has important cultural, ecological, environmental and social dimensions and is a key element of achieving sustainable development.

The UK is recognised as already putting much of the principles of the ELC into practice. Our distinctive landscapes contribute to our identity and reflect local cultural influences as well as ecological diversity. This is shown through the Joint Character Area map of England and also through the well established practice of using landscape character assessment to inform local policy making.

ENDS

For further information contact Natural England’s press office on 01242 533306 or 01242 533398.

Notes for Editors

1. The European Landscape Convention opened for signature in Florence on 20 October 2000. Jim Knight, former Minister for Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity announced the UK signing of the European Landscape Convention in February 2006. The UK is the 26th state to ratify the convention.

2. Natural England was established by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. Its purpose is to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.

3. Natural England has been formed by bringing together English Nature, the landscape, access and recreation elements of the Countryside Agency and the environmental land management functions of the Rural Development Service.

4. Natural England has a budget of £500 million and employs 2,500 people.

5. Natural England’s headquarters are based in Sheffield.

6. Landscape Character Assessment: Guidance for England and Scotland was published in 2002 by the Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage. It is a tool for understanding the character of landscapes. Character makes each part of the landscape distinct and gives each its particular sense of place.