Tens of millions of pounds could flow into Dorset if the county wins National Park status.

The Government cash could boost tourism, the rural economy, support sustainable public transport and help with affordable housing.

Dorchester Civic Society heard the claims at a meeting at the Dorford Centre on Tuesday evening.

But the downside could be handing planning control over to a body which is not directly elected and an influx of people who buy properties in the area to boost their investment income.

The larger towns are unlikely to be included in the Park area, but the promoters claim they would still benefit.

Those standing for the local elections in May are now being encouraged by the group to support the National Park bid.

“If we want a National Park we really need to be saying to councillors please support it,” said speaker Sandra Brown from the Dorset National Park Proposal Team.

She said that the South Downs National Park employs 90-100 people: “If this was a new company offering 100 terrific jobs for Dorset we would be jumping up and down to get it.”

Several local councils, including Weymouth and Portland Borough have already backed the idea.

The Dorchester meeting heard that the area to be included in the National Park has yet to be defined – but there is growing support for a proposal that it should follow the boundaries of the new Dorset Council which comes into existence in May.

Sandra Brown said National Park status, would give greater legal protection to the environment and would give the county more 'leverage' to bid for Government money for tourism, housing and the rural economy.

It would, she said, raise the profile of the county internationally as a tourism area and a good place to do business.

But even if all goes according to plan National Park status could still be at least five year away with rival bids expected from the Cotswolds and the Chilterns.

Sandra Brown told the Dorchester audience that the designation would not result in a call for extra money from council tax and would encourage inward investment to the area.

She said the country's newest National Park, the South Downs, had attracted £100 million of investment in its first five years, including money to encourage farmers and landowners to protect and enhance the environment for wildlife.

Ian Duckworth said the status would be a boost to protecting declining species and habitat, especially important in Dorset which has several of the country's most bio diverse areas. He said that a county council survey had found 94 per cent of residents rated a high quality environment as important.

Mr Duckworth said he believed that National Park status would result in a more co-ordinated approach to the environment and offer better protection for areas of importance for both landscape and the environment.

“It would better manage popular sites and have the resources and expertise to manage recreational pressures as well as develop a tourism strategy for Dorset which would help spread the load,” he said.

Gateway towns to provide services

The bid to create a Dorset National Park has been ongoing for several years.

The proposed park would cover the whole of the current Dorset and East Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) – which includes the South Dorset Ridgeway and much of west Dorset – as well as Purbeck and Egdon Heath.

The Dorset Echo reported at the end of last year how an independent review was being carried out into England’s National Parks and AONBs.

The Glover Review issued a call for evidence for its work in reviewing parks and AONBs.

A report, prepared by Cumulus Consultants, said a national park would give Dorset an economic boost, including a ‘halo effect’ for towns just outside the park’s boundaries, such as Weymouth and Dorchester, which would become a gateway to provide services and accommodation for visitors.

As well as creating jobs, a national park could also help contribute to the delivery of rural services such as promoting affordable housing and public transport, investing in community facilities and promoting investment in broadband and mobile communications.

Paul Silcock, one of the authors of the report, said: “The proposed Dorset National Park presents an exceptional opportunity for residents, businesses and investors whether in the county, in neighbouring areas or thinking of locating to Dorset. It will safeguard and enhance Dorset’s exceptional natural assets and will unlock a wide range of economic benefits and opportunities for the whole county and neighbouring areas.”