National Parks are the 'jewels in the crown' of our landscapes and need stronger protection and a fairer share of resources, according to a manifesto launched on September 2 by the Campaign for National Parks. 'National Parks in the 21st Century: A Manifesto For the Next Westminster Government' argues that parks are essential to the nation's health and well-being and are an important part of our cultural heritage. The CNP's first such manifesto says parks, such as Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Yorkshire Dales, must be protected for all, not just now, but for future generations. The Dartmoor Preservation Association is calling on all local candidates at the forthcoming general election to pledge support for the manifesto, with DPA director Philip Hutt saying: 'England's national parks, including Dartmoor and Exmoor, are under threat from the drive for economic growth. The Government must stop nibbling away at the specially protected safeguards for places like Dartmoor, otherwise their distinctive qualities and unique heritage will be lost, and once lost they are gone forever. 'The DPA isn't calling for Dartmoor to be fossilised. We want to see sustainable job creation in farming, quality food production, tourism, green businesses and recreation and wildlife. It's possible to do this while still protecting Dartmoor, but only if the National Park Authority retains effective responsibility for planning and development control.' CNP chief executive Julian Woolford said: 'National parks face an unprecedented level of threats due to the increasing demand for land for housing, transport and other infrastructure. 'We're facing the biggest road programme for decades along with plans for Europe's largest potash mine in the North York Moors. The Government's failed to take account of the extra protection for national parks in recent proposals to remove the need for planning permission when converting light industrial buildings to housing developments. 'We want the next government to ensure that the extra protection is recognised and enforced in all publicly funded infrastructure. We also want to see enhanced protection against major development by strength-ening existing planning guidance and including a presumption against major developments in legislation.' He stressed that he was keen to see an increase in opportunities for national parks to be able to target sources of UK and EU funding being made available to Local Enterprise Partnerships, which help determine local economic priorities and lead economic growth and job creation, and through Leader and Life funding, which support financially rural business and the environment. 'It's vital to ensure that LEPs support job creation in high-quality food production, landscape enhancement, tourism, green businesses and recreation and wildlife,' added Mr Woolford. As well as demanding stronger planning protection and a greater share of financial resources, the manifesto calls for an increase in sustainable access to national parks, saying that the Local Sustainable Transport Fund should be maintained until 2021 to support improved public transport links and better facilities for walkers and cyclists. It also calls for existing funding for sporting activities to be extended so that parks can be used for school visits, with the message that every child should have an opportunity to visit a national park. It also suggests that a commission should be set up to consider the need for new or extended national parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.