THE leaders of the UK’s 15 national parks and the Environment Secretary are set to reaffirm the importance of landscape at a conference in the North York Moors.

Owen Paterson will open the three-day conference today (Wednesday, September 24), addressing national park delegates after meeting business leaders and national park apprentices on a tour of the protected area.

Ahead of the conference, Mr Paterson said he wanted to emphasise the crucial role national parks play in conserving beautiful landscapes and the significant economic benefits they bring to the country through a healthy rural economy.

He said: “England’s national parks contribute more than £6bn to the economy every year, which is the same as the aerospace industry.”

Over 100 delegates from across the UK will visit a range of places in the North York Moors and be encouraged to take steps to protect, change and enhance Britain’s finest landscapes.

The conference comes days after York Potash revealed it would not submit plans to build a £1.5bn potash mine within the park’s boundary, near Sneaton, until next summer.

While the firm says the mine would cause a minimal amount of environmental damage, the plan has attracted concerns, including from campaigners at the North York Moors Association.

Delegates will issue a declaration at the end of the conference, on Friday (September 27), which will shape future thinking on landscape and its place in the national psyche.

Farmer Jim Bailey, of Ampleforth, North Yorkshire, who is chair of National Parks England and the North York Moors National Park Authority, said: “It’s only now, as a nation, that we are recognising the full value and reaping the benefits of our beautiful national parks.”