THE New Forest is preparing to play its part in a bid to promote businesses in England’s national parks.

The nation’s National Park Authorities are taking part in a business initiative backed by Lord Heseltine and Defra minister Lord de Mauley.

The authorities have published an ‘offer’ to the network of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) that were set up by the govern-ment to spearhead economic growth and employment.

They say national parks contain 22,500 businesses and generate up to £6.3bn in gross value added (GVA), equivalent to the UK aerospace industry or a small city.

National parks attract 90m visitors a year – a third of all rural tourism spending in the country.

They have a higher proportion of self-employed people than the country as a whole – 19 per cent compared with 10 per cent.

Keith Mans, New Forest National Park Authority member and Enterprise M3 LEP board member, said: “We have been examining how we as a National Park Authority are open for business naturally and have been pleased to show the environment minister and planning minister our links to businesses and the particular challenges facing the New Forest during their visits last year.

“We look forward to seeing how working closely with the LEPs can benefit the Forest.”

In the document, the authorities say they can support the LEPs by providing access to rurally-dispersed businesses, strong community partnership, experience of sustainable development and value as a strategic partner.

Lord Heseltine said: “National parks are huge national assets that the public value. They are beautiful places where the environment underpins large swathes of the rural economy.

“I welcome the lead being taken by national parks in working alongside Local Enterprise Partnerships and local businesses to enhance the nation’s wealth.

“Delivering high-quality jobs, prosperity, and a high quality environment together is a government priority.”