The West Midlands could become the first area to have an urban national park. But did you know it could also benefit and support the development of local businesses?

There are 15 National Parks in the United Kingdom covering some of our most beautiful and wild landscapes but to date none are in urban areas. However, a new West Midlands National Park (WMNP) could become the first thanks to the tireless campaigning of Professor Kathryn Moore, who heads up the WMNP Lab at BCU, and a manifesto commitment made by the new Mayor for the West Midlands, Richard Parker.

The idea of the WMNP was first mooted by Kathryn in 2017 and formally launched in 2018. Kathryn said: “The West Midlands National Park will offer exciting business and employment opportunities, from attracting inward investment to a big boost in tourism, all delivered through creating a healthier, greener, and more equitable environment.”

Since its launch the park has received widespread support from across the West Midlands, nationally and internationally including from BCUs new Vice Chancellor David Mba, Birmingham City Council, the West Midlands Combined Authority, Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Canal and Rivers Trust, Natural England, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the United Nations.

Kathryn emphasises that the concept is not about taking away local authorities planning powers or creating a traditional park with a fixed boundary but taking a new holistic economic, environmental and cultural approach to planning which tackles deprivation and attracts business and people to the region. She stated: “Supporting businesses is critical to the success of the new WMNP and I’d like to see grants and help made available as part of the package just like other parks managed by the National Park Authorities.

“The WMNP is about creating a new big scale way of thinking which makes the economic case for attracting people and putting the environment and quality of life first. Unlike traditional national parks there is no fixed boundary but as a guide we are using the one that defines the West Midlands Combined Authority.

“However, if for example Worcestershire or Warwickshire or any other region wanted to join, I would be delighted.” An advocate of the approach is the new Mayor for the West Midlands, Richard Parker who visited the WMNP Lab just before Christmas.

As a result, he has pledged to take forward the idea and to use the influence and reach of the mayor’s office to help make it happen. Richards personal commitment to the project was reflected in a manifesto commitment which said: “We will collaborate with Councils and partners to explore whether there is appetite to work together on a spatial plan for the West Midlands. This will include the ambition set out in the West Midlands National Park’s plans.”

Kathryn’s passion for a new WMNP has been reflected in extensive publications, conferences, exhibitions and media coverage including a piece by the Guardian’s feature writer Stuart Jeffries called ‘Welcome to Brumbia: should the West Midlands become a national park?’ He wrote: ‘Understandably, Moore is steeling herself for the derision she’s going to get for daring to suggest the West Midlands might become green and pleasant’

“The West Midlands, crucible of the industrial revolution, is one of the most neglected regions of the UK”, she says. “But we can give it a new identity, and in so doing reimagine what it is to live in cities in a way that lives up to UN sustainable development goals.”

“Not since Mayor Joseph Chamberlain sought to make Birmingham the new Athens at the end of the 19th century has anyone round here dared to dream this big.” Kathryn added. “The support and ideas of business are critical to making the WMNP happen.

“We would welcome suggestions as to how businesses can get involved through sustainable tourism, products and cultural interventions etc. We are also approaching ESG investments funders to help finance the new park.

“To facilitate that dialogue, I’d like to invite businesses to attend an interdisciplinary event called Rethinking Landscape from 2-4 October at BCU. The event is free, and a number of businesses have already signed up.

“We’d also like to invite businesses to apply for our WMNP Awards, now in its 3rd year.”