South Downs National Park

Background

The decision to begin the designation process for a South Downs National Park was taken in April 2000.  The Countryside Agency (now Natural England) believe that a National Park is the best way to provide long term protection for the Downs, building on the achievements of the past, and conserving and enhancing the area for future generations.

The Countryside Agency ran two rounds of consultation on the National Park; first, a public consultation from November 2001 to February 2002, and secondly, from May to August 2002 for local authorities.  Over 6,500 written responses were received and gave all interested organisations and individuals the opportunity to comment in detail on the initial proposals for the boundary and administrative options for the National Park Authority.

The Countryside Agency made a formal Designation Order on 18 December 2002.  This is the Countryside Agency’s recommendation to Government for the National Park and a detailed boundary to show its proposed extent.  This was placed on public deposit during January and February 2003.  A Public Inquiry was arranged to consider objections to the Designation Order.

The Designation Order can be viewed or downloaded on the Countryside Agency’s website (see external links below).

National Park Boundary Maps

The Designation Order boundary maps are available to view and download on the Countryside Agency website (see external links below).

Public Inquiry

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The Inquiry opened in November 2003 and closed on 23 March 2005 after 91 sitting days and accompanied visits.  The Inspector appointed to conduct the Inquiry was Mr Robert Neil Parry DipTP MRTPI.

The Inspector produced his report to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs which was published in June 2007.  This is available to see on the Planning Inspectorate website (see external link below).

The Inspector’s recommendations included addition of some areas of land to the National Park (e.g. Tidemills and Ringmer Park), and the deletion of some areas (e.g. the town of Lewes, Ditchling Village and Portobello, Telscombe Cliffs) included in the original Designation Order of December 2002.

These changes, together with some legal changes arising from the Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act 2007, have led to re-opening of the Public Inquiry.  The Inquiry reopened in February 2008 to hear further evidence on these matters, and is scheduled to run until May 2008.  A further Inspector’s Report will be made to the Secretary of State, who will then have to make a formal decision on whether to designate a South Downs National Park, and what its boundaries should be.

Lewes District Council's Position on the National Park

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Lewes District Council has consistently supported the creation of a South Downs National Park, as a means of giving long term protection for the Downs and securing national funding for their ongoing management.

However, the District Council has raised various concerns throughout the process on the detailed boundaries of the National Park and on other matters.  It has presented evidence to the Inquiry on all the key issues.

Reports to and Minutes of LDC Cabinet at key stages of the National Park designation process set out our position in detail.  These reports can be seen elsewhere on our website via the links below.

Contact details

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If you have any questions regarding the National Park and Lewes District Council’s involvement you can contact Paul Hoppen, Assistant Director (Strategy & Regeneration) via paul.hoppen@lewes.gov.uk.