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Update on South Downs National Park public inquiry
13 December 2007
At the South Downs Pre-Inquiry meeting on Tuesday 11 December, the Planning Inspector outlined the scope of the forthcoming re-opening of the South Downs Public Inquiry which will commence on 12th February.
The Inspector confirmed that the Inquiry will focus on the following topics:
Topic 1
Any implications for the Designation Order arising from revised National Parks legislation- amendments to the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 made by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006.
Topic 2
Implications of the Designation Order arising from the Meyrick Judgements in respect of the New Forest National Park.
Topic 3
Representations in respect of the alternative National Park boundary running north from Petersfield and east to Pulborough.
There is a session planned on Tuesday 12 February (when the inquiry re-opens) to decide whether a full hearing on the exclusion of the Western Weald is required in light of new evidence.
Natural England welcomes this news that the Inspector has agreed to accept written representations about the Western Weald.
Topic 4
Representations in respect of the additional areas that have been recommended for inclusion in any new National Park.
Topic 5
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) status of excluded land.
Written representations will also be accepted on any other points people want to raise.
Natural England does not support the Inspector’s alternative boundary line and it maintains support for its original 2002 Designation Order boundary and its subsequent Variation Order in 2004.
A full record of this meeting will be published on the Planning Inspectorate website under South Downs National Park Inquiry
Natural England is the Government’s statutory adviser on National Parks and AONBs. Natural England proposed that the South Downs be designated as a National Park through the original 2002 Designation Order boundary.
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