The Peak District Park is one of the most popular in the UK

MP Patrick McLoughlin says the size of the board - which looks at planning issues in the park - is already being cut from 39 members to 30.

"I was amazed when I got a letter saying the government might be cutting the size even further to 25," he said.

"It takes away from local element on the committee, and that is wrong."

Mr McLoughlin said a further reduction would mean parish council representatives would be cut to three.

"That would mean Derbyshire Dales - which has 65% of the population in the national park - would have the same number of members as some district councils with only 1%," he said.

The park has 20m visitors a year and is within an hours' drive for 60% of the country's population, he said.

"I am astounded that the government wants to reopen this debate," Mr McLoughlin said

"The Leader of the House didn't seem to know anything about it when I raised it in the House of Commons, but I will raise it again."