Housing development versus landscape protection

CPRE Sussex response to South Downs Local Plan Regulation 19 consultation.

We believe that it is inappropriate to propose a housing supply figure which exceeds the demographic-driven housing need figure in the national park. There is potential conflict with the statutory principle of protecting the landscape of the National Park.

Some of the proposed site allocations do not meet the requirements recognised elsewhere in the plan, and stand in contradiction to the plan’s own policies. The level of housing growth as proposed in this new Local Plan is likely to make many of these challenges even worse – while failing to address the housing affordability crisis.

There is a significant risk that the Plan will end up consisting of aspirational and ambitious policies undermined by proposed housing supply figure and site allocations inappropriate for the National Park.

The response sets out site allocations we do not support and offers comments on other site allocations.

Read full response: South Downs LP Reg 19 consultation response 23.6.26