Why hasn’t Chris Loder, Dorset MP, talked to the Dorset National Park supporters?
Chris Loder contacted our Parish meeting in Hooke saying that he had significant reservations about a Dorset National Park, but without explaining why. He appeared to be soliciting opinion but failed to give any details of the pros and cons. I’ve now found his statement about why he doesn’t support it, but am not very impressed.
I sent details of Chris Loder’s response to the Dorset National Park team. They have responded with detailed information about what it might mean for the county.
The government committed to more National Parks in their manifesto, as part of their support for a greener economic future. They clearly think that there are multiple benefits. What’s more it would be likely to significantly increase funds coming into the county. Dartmoor, for example has 20% less area than Dorset, but 15 times more Government funding. What’s not to like about that?
Most important of all for me though is the environmental benefits. The National Park proposals are part of a commitment to leave the environment in a better condition than we inherited it.
A National Park could help make Dorset and East Devon the natural place to visit and do business. It offers a unique opportunity to help reverse the decline in our environment, make this the home for ambitious and innovative businesses and help our farmers and land managers to diversify and thrive in new market and farm funding conditions.
Dorset National Park website, May 2021
I think our MP is being irresponsible in not supporting the initiative. Even more so, that he doesn’t appear to have researched it properly and at least heard the argument from the other side. Isn’t that part of his job? I talked to Richard Brown from the Dorset National Park initiative. He said he’d be very keen to talk to Chris Loder.
I’d like an MP who bothers to find out more before deciding to send notes to Parish Councils encouraging us all to oppose something that could really benefit us all… Boo…
