DAVID Drew, Labour MP for Stroud says the Cotswolds should be given National Park status.

Mr Drew believes the move would boost the economy through tourism and bring much needed investment to Gloucestershire.

If this was to happen the Cotswolds would become the 16th National Park in the UK, giving Gloucestershire’s picturesque countryside the same status as the Lake District, the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia.

“The Cotswolds is the last great Conservation Area that remains without National Park status,” said Mr Drew, who has made a short video outlining his stance.

“National Park status brings certainty to the planning system, economic advantages for business including tourism, and additional funding.”

Mr Drew is shadow minister for environment, food and rural affairs.

“Part of my responsibility is to look at how we might promote a vibrant rural life.

"I have suggested that we open up a debate around the possibility of setting up a National Park for the whole of the Cotswolds area.

“Of course, I'm proud of the fact that it was the post-war Labour government which instigated an idea first promoted by the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE).

"Now the time has come to consider the many reasons why it would be a good thing for the Cotswolds.

“The Cotswolds is a huge area, with at least six local authorities and several different counties, which means there is a lack of co-ordination of planning, housing and employment development," he said.

National parks are areas of countryside which include villages and towns and have their own authority to help look after them, including having some planning controls.

The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty stretches from Warwickshire to Bath, with two thirds of its area in Gloucestershire.

“Making the Cotswolds a National Park would bring extra money into the area, and help us to find innovative solutions to infrastructure and encourage business development," said Mr Drew, who is keen to hear the views of people across the Cotswolds about the idea, and look at ways of taking it forward.

Email your comments to david.drew.mp@parliament.uk.