There is a ig debate going on as to whether the Norfolk Broads should become a 'National Park'

[KatyMac]

I don't claim to know much about it & I understand they have adopted a 'name' of the "Broads National Park"

It seems to be a discussion about whether ecology or boating should take precedence. Apparently all the other 'National Parks' have some sort of ecological prime directive & the broads can't have that as no boating means less tourism & it would be self defeating.

Does anyone know more about this? Or can anyone explain it better as I'm a bit confused

[thefemaleJoshLyman]

It already is a national park afaik.

[KatyMac]

Only for a few weeks & as I understand it, it's only called a National Park it doesn't have national park status

[KatyMac]

Is something to do with the Sandford Principle (whatever that is)

[KatyMac]

Bump in case anyone knows more

[thefemaleJoshLyman]

They have the same designation as a national park. The Sandford Principle concerns land-use and puts conservation as top priority, thisdoes not really apply to the Broads where navigation has equal status, hence different to the other parks. At least that us what I gleaned fromsone research.

[KatyMac]

It seems very big in the local area; one of the big boating clubs looks unable to proceed with racing and junior boating because the dredging due to happen in March was called off at the last minute as it was now an ecological issue as they were now a National Park

This means large parts of the 'season' will have to be cancelled

Another broad appears to have been partitioned off by the landowner despite a 'right to navigation' and governement & european money is to develop it so the land owner can then charge for access

It's been in the papers for months - but no-one seems to know much about it

& there have been accusations that the broads authority is censoring what it's members say