Yes to Park plan

A NEW National Park in the South Downs, covering an area of 627 square miles, has been given the green light by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Mar 2009, 16:20 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 04:14 BST

The new park will stretch from Beachy Head to Winchester, encompassing rolling chalk uplands, river valleys and wooded greens.

The Western Weald area, from Petersfield and Liss to Midhurst and Petworth towards Pulborough in the east, has been included, along with Ditchling and Lewes. The decision, announced on Tuesday this week, follows a decade of legal wrangling and a 19-month long public inquiry.

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The designation order will not be confirmed until consultation has finished and a proper decision has been made on additional areas such as the Western Weald. This means that the park cannot be formally created until at least the early part of 2011, although a new South Downs National Park Authority is expected to be established by April 2010.

The Secretary of State also overruled a decision to exclude Watersfield, near Pulborough, which is now in the park, along with Woods Mill, near Henfield, Washington Common and a triangle of land at Clay Lane, Storrington.

Hilary Benn was at the Weald and Downland Museum on Tuesday morning to personally announce the decision.

For full story and reactions see West Sussex Gazette April 1

Related topics:South DownsWinchester