The National Park is here!
In the early minutes of Wednesday 31 March 2010, the South Downs became a National Park. After over sixty years of campaigning, this beautiful area of South East England gained the protection it has long deserved.
John Songhurst, Chairman of the South Downs Society, said: “This is a historic day for all those who cherish the South Downs. Since 1947, countryside-lovers have been calling for the South Downs to receive better protection and increased funding for its wildlife habitats and pathways. We are, after all, one of the jewels in the crown of Britain’s special landscapes, and today that has been fully recognised.”
“The South Downs Society and its many volunteers will be working to support and help the National Park Authority achieve the protection and enhancement of this special area, and to keep a watchful eye on its work” said John Songhurst. “We will present a wish-list to the National Park Authority of long-awaited projects including the creation of new pathways and conservation projects, and the removal of eyesores.
“It is essential that the new Authority is allocated sufficient resources for it to do the important job it has been given. We all know that economic hard times are ahead, but we must remember that National Parks – because of their pathways, open spaces, and superb wildlife - are very cost-effective ways of keeping us fit and healthy both physically and mentally.”
The South Downs will be the fifteenth National Park in the UK. It has two purposes. The first is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park. The second is to provide opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Park. The National Park Authority, in pursuing these purposes, also has a duty to seek to foster the social and economic well-being of the local community.
Celebrate the National Park by coming for a stroll with the South Downs Society
Tues 6 Apr, 9.45am, 13.5 miles
Meeting: Layby opp. Ardingly Showgrnd on B2028
Outline route: Lindwell Farm, Highbrook, Horsted Keynes, (Pub – Green Man) Great Lywood Farm, Ardingly Reservoir
135 / 344304
Thurs 8 Apr, 10am, 5 miles
Meet: Royal Oak, Hooksway C.P.
Outline route: Steady climb, Monkton Lost Village, Devil's Jumps, SDW, PUB (Royal Oak, Hooksway) at end
120/816162
Wed 14 Apr, 10.15am, 4 miles
Meet: Clayton Recreation Grouop
Outline route: LAMBING TIME WALK, Flat farmland. PUB (Jack & Jill) at end or picnic
Public transport details: Buses 40, 40X Brighton/ Burgess Hill/Haywards Heath
122/298141
Tues 27 Apr, 10am, 11 miles
Meet: East Dean Village CP
Outline route: Friston Hill, Charleston Bottom, Exceat Bridge (Pub - Golden Galleon) Exceat New Barn, Crowlink, Tea Shop at end of walk, if required
123 / 557977
Public transport details: Bus 12 fr Brighton, 12 & 12c fr Eastbourne. E Dean bus shelter is a few minutes' walk from the CP
Thurs 29 Apr, 10.30am, 7 miles
Meet: Bignor Hill C.P.
Outline route: Downland hills, Barlavington, PUB (The White Horse, Sutton) en route
121/976129
Details of all the Society's walks are available on the website at www.southdownssociety.org.uk, or by post from the South Downs Society, telephone 01798 875073.
Walkers should wear stout footwear, bring a drink, and a mac in case there’s a shower.
The South Downs Society is a conservation charity which has been working to protect the beauty of the South Downs since 1923. It organizes over 300 walks a year, as well as special visits and lectures for members. Volunteers are always welcome – to help with conservation work and education and access projects.
Facts and Figures about the South Downs National Park
- On 31 March 2009, Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, announced that the South Downs National Park should be created, and on 12 November, in Ditchling, he signed the order confirming the National Park. A National Park Authority is expected to be set up in 2010, assuming full powers on 1 April 2011.
- The South Downs National Park came into being just after midnight on 30th March 2010, and the National Park Authority was set up on 1st April 2010.
- The National Park broadly encompasses the territory proposed by the Countryside Agency in 2002.
- It covers over 600 square miles.
- The territory includes the chalk hills, the Western Weald (including Petersfield, Liss, and MOD land at Woolmer Forest and Longmoor Training Estate), Lewes, and Ditchling and land to the north.
- The area is home to an estimated 108,000 people. This is more than any other British National Park, the next-biggest being the Lake District with 42,200. Northumberland National Park has only 2,200.
- Most of the land which comprised the Sussex Downs and East Hampshire Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty is included, but the National Park excludes about 8 square km in around 72 small parcels of land either because the requisite quality was found to be lacking, or so that a boundary could be formed which was clear and readily identifiable. The Secretary of State decided not to include marine areas beyond the mean low water mark.
- Six additional areas were added on 12 November 2009: Alice Holt, Plumpton, Patcham Recreation Ground, Rodean Crescent, Castle Goring and land east of Titnore Lane, and the verges and embankments on the northern side of the A27. Green Ridge was also included.
- For its first year, the National Park Authority will exist in shadow form. It will prepare for its formal role which will begin in April 2011. During the shadow year, its role in planning will be consultative and advisory, as the South Downs Joint Committee's role is now.
- The purposes of the National Park are to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area, and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the Park's special qualities by the public. The National Park Authority also has a duty to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of the communities living within the National Park.
- It will be centrally-fund by Government and is a public body run by a Board of 27 Members. Fourteen members are from the fifteen local authorities covering the National Park (Adur and Worthing share a member), six are parish council members (two from East Sussex, two from West Sussex, and two from Hampshire), and seven are members appointed by the Secretary of State.
- The Secretary of State takes the view that the National Park Authority should delegate its development control work so far as is possible to its constituent local authorities (though this is a decision for the NPA)
- A National Park Establishment Team exists to set up the South Downs National Park Authority. The Interim Chief Executive is Richard Shaw. They are based at Rosemary's Parlour, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 9SB, tel 01730 817285, jane.schiller@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
- The Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty were revoked on 31st March 2010, when the National Park came into being.