In 2019 we’re celebrating the 70th anniversary of our National Parks.
It’s 70 years since the 1949 Act of Parliament that established the family of National Parks in England and Wales. Known as Britain’s breathing spaces, National Parks are areas of spectacular landscape which are given the highest level of protection so that everyone can visit and enjoy them.
The Campaign for National Parks and the Friends of the South Downs (South Downs Society) joined forces this month in a review of some of the critical planning and highways issues in and near the South Downs National Park. Ruth Bradshaw, the Policy and Research Manager of Campaign for National Parks met up with Vic Ient, the Policy & Planning Officer of the Friends of the South Downs, last week and undertook a tour of the ‘hot spots’ of the eastern and central area of the South Downs National Park.
The review encompassed:
Lewes area – Arundel A27 by-pass plans, – Shoreham Cement Works – Super-store & 600 home development near Shoreham Airport – 800 homes development at Toad’s Hole Valley near the National Park on the edge of Brighton & Hove City Council area – A 10,000 home new town development proposal north of the downland villages Poyning and Fulking. The field trip finished of by visiting the site of the commercial and 3200 homes development going ahead at Burgess Hill. Our report of the field trip are:
Buses will continue to breeze up to the Downs in 2024 after agreeing new funding!Following discussions with the Department for Transport (DfT), we have been given the green light to use money from our Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to fund the Breeze up to the Downs 77 and 79 services for the year ahead.Working with operator Brighton & Hove Buses, this will support both services for the next 12 months and will also allow us to better advertise and promote them.The 77 is a 30-minute bus ride from Brighton city centre to Devil’s Dyke, a gateway to the stunning South Downs National Park while the 79 takes passengers all the way to Ditchling Beacon.Both services run every Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday (except 25 December) throughout the year. ... See MoreSee Less
Fancy walking with us? We offer close to 200 guided walks and strolls each year, something for most fitness levels. Have a look and get in touch ➡️
https://friendsofthesouthdowns.org.uk/public-walks/