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The South Downs
An Update (June 2007) by Chris Todd, Campaign Officer for the South Downs Campaign
Public notices appeared in The Argus (21st June) and the Sussex Express (22nd June) regarding the South Downs National Park and the start of a further period of consultation from 2 July until 13 August 2007. (Update 30th July by CPRE Sussex - We are delighted that this period has now been extended until 24th September 2007 as a direct result of lobbying by ourselves, South Downs Campaign and other environmental groups). The notice states that Defra is inviting representations on:
- Implications of NERC Act
- Implications of Meyrick and Court of Appeal Judgments.
- A possible alternative boundary from Petersfield to Pulborough (we suspect to cut out the Low Weald and the larger settlements)
- Possible additional areas of land (approx 25 sq. km) to be included in the park.
The latter two points came out of recommendations in the inspector's report.
The Good News
The inspector clearly has recommended that the South Downs meet the national park criteria and should be confirmed (otherwise he would not be recommending additions to the boundary nor would Defra be continuing with this process). Plus some of the additions we have been arguing for are likely to be part of his additional 25 sq km of land mentioned in the notice.
The Bad News
It is clear that the inspector is recommending that the Minister considers leaving out a sizeable chunk of the Low Weald in West Sussex and in East Hampshire, potentially excluding Petersfield, Liss, Midhurst and Petworth. What we don't know is the boundary except that it somehow goes from Petersfield to Pulborough. Nor do we know the reasons.
By implication, it is likely that if the inspector was nervous of including larger settlements, then Steyning and Lewes are likely to be recommended for exclusion, but again that we won't know until we see the maps and inspector's report on 2 July. If Steyning and Lewes are recommended for exclusion, or indeed any other areas we disagree with, we will not be able to comment on them as part of this consultation process. The remit of the consultation is tightly constrained to commenting on the 4 points above. However, that does not stop people from directly lobbying the Minister about a particular area being kept within (and not excluded from) the National Park.
What we don't know at present is what the inspector is proposing for the Low Weald area excluded from the National Park. Should it lose its AONB status completely or should there be another inquiry to establish a new AONB for the area? Obviously we would prefer it remain part of the National Park, but to achieve this we will need to provide substantial evidence to back up our case, plus rally people behind any campaign that is organised.
What next?
>To view the revisions in your area
Please 'Take Action' now follow link to South Downs Campaign website for full details.
The long term news is that the Minister expects to make a decision at the latest on the National Park and its boundary by Autumn 2008. Should there be no need for a public inquiry, after Defra have received all the representations, a decision could be taken early in 2008.
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