Has anyone else looked at the National Parks UK website recently?
Not only is the Broads described as a National Park (perhaps no surprise there) but there is a clear implication that the BA is a National Park Authority. The "About us" section contains the following.
QUOTE:
There are 15 National Parks in the United Kingdom and each one is looked after by its own authority. We work together as National Parks UK.
There are 10 National Parks in England, 3 in Wales and 2 in Scotland, they are:
England - Broads, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, and South Downs.
Wales - Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire Coast, and Snowdonia
Scotland - Cairngorms and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs.
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National Parks UK
National Parks UK brings together the 15 National Park Authorities in the UK to raise the profile of the National Parks and to promote joint working. Country associations for the English and Welsh national parks represent the national park authorities to English and Welsh governments.
Advised by the 15 National Park Authority chief executives, the chairmen and convenors of the 15 National Park Authorities work together to share experience and manage joint training projects, public relations activities and special events.
National Parks UK employs three members of staff and secondees from the National Parks to work on projects as required.
National Parks UK is not a lobbying body, nor does it seek to speak on behalf of the family of 15 National Parks. Its key roles include:
Engaging with the public and answering queries about National Parks as a group
Promoting the National Parks as special places
National Parks UK also:
Promotes the 15 National Parks in the UK as beacons for sustainable development
Helps raise their profile and deepen the public's understanding and relevance of these protected landscapes
Facilitates training and development for National Park Authority members and staff
Fosters closer working with the growing international family of protected landscapes
Contact National Parks UK:
Email: pressoffice@nationalparks.uk
Yare House
62-64 Thorpe Rd
Norwich
NR1 1RY
UNQUOTE
We all know that the Broads can be called a National Park for marketing purposes, but calling the Broads Authority a National Park Authority to my mind crosses the boundary to mendacious propaganda. As far as I am aware there is no legal basis whatsoever for this claim (and in fact the opposite). Interesting that National Parks UK now share an address with the BA. Although I never liked the BA playing fast and loose with the English language, I always harboured a doubt as to whether there was truly an ulterior motive. No more.