Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988

The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which created the Broads Authority.[1] It is the framework for the creation of Broads, an area qualifying for special conservation on account of its ecological value and giving the Broads equivalent status and funding to the national parks of England and Wales.[2]

Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988

Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to establish an authority to be known as the Broads Authority; to make provision with respect to its powers; to make provision with respect to the area commonly known as the Broads and with respect to the Great Yarmouth Port and Haven and its Commissioners; to provide for the making of grants to the Authority by the Secretary of State; and for connected purposes.
Citation	1988 c. 4
Territorial extent	England
Dates
Royal assent	15 March 1988
Status: Current legislation
Text of statute as originally enacted
Revised text of statute as amended
Text of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1998 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The first ten British national parks were designated as such in the 1950s under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 in mostly poor-quality agricultural upland and designations subsequent to the Broads are also under the auspices of the 1949 Act. The Broads required separate legislation to give special consideration to the needs of navigation. The Act requires the Broads Authority to take account of the area's national importance and the need to protect it. It must promote public enjoyment, preserve natural amenity and maintain, improve and develop the navigation area.