Natural England

Some of the most beautiful landscapes and important habitats for wildlife on the South Downs will be at risk if a new National Park proposed for the area excludes them, says Natural England, the environment organisation, ahead of attending the Association of National Park Authorities conference this week.

Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England, said: “We are calling on Government to approve a designation of the South Downs National Park which includes the rolling grassland and sandstone forests of the Western Weald.”

Nearly a quarter of the original South Downs National Park, as proposed by Natural England as worthy of designation, could be left unprotected and vulnerable to development pressures if a new, smaller National Park boundary is agreed. This could leave species that rely on the woodlands of the Western Weald, such as the Wood White butterfly and internationally endangered Barbastelle bat, at risk.

Sir Martin Doughty continued: “We are also concerned that the Western Weald could lose the protection it currently receives as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) if it is not included in the new National Park. This would jeopardise an area of iconic English countryside and wildlife habitat, including the twenty mile feeding ground over the Woolmer Forest, which supports Barbastelle bat’s.

“The South Downs provides a high quality natural environment close to one of the worlds leading regional economies. This sustains and enhances the vibrancy of the South East, providing a retreat for people living and working in the area. It is high time we awarded the South Downs the elite National Park status it deserves.”

Sir Martin is speaking on Friday (21 September) at the Association of National Park Authorities (ANPA) conference in support of a South Downs National Park that recognises the Western Weald and provides a National Park fit for the 21st century.

Natural England was asked by Defra to draw up both the original proposal for a South Downs National Park, which included the Western Weald, and an alternative which omits it. The reason for excluding the Western Weald lies in geology, as it is made up of sandstone which is inconsistent with the predominantly chalk land hills of the South Downs.

However, Natural England believes the smaller boundary is the wrong decision.

A decision from Defra regarding the final boundary is expected soon.

Ends

For further information contact the National Press Office on 0845 603 9953, out of hours 07970 098005, email press@naturalengland.org.uk.

Notes to Editors

1. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

2. Sir Martin Doughty: Following a career as a lecturer in Environmental Management at Sheffield Hallam University, Martin, from Derbyshire, developed his expertise and interest in nature conservation alongside landscape and access work as Chair, The Peak District National Park Authority. He has held a wide range of key roles in the public and voluntary sectors, including Leader of Derbyshire County Council from 1992 until 2001. Martin has also been a Board Member for the Countryside Agency (1999 – 2005) and was the Chair of English Nature before being appointed as Chair for Natural England.

3. History of the South Downs: Sixty years ago, the National Park Committee, chaired by the ‘father’ of all National Parks, Sir Arthur Hobhouse recommended twelve areas of land in England and Wales for National Park status. The South Downs is the only one of these twelve still awaiting National Park status.

Sir Arthur Hobhouse: (1886-1965) was a long serving Government politician. Chaired the National Parks Commission set up by the Government in 1945. Prepared the Hobhouse Report that was the basis of the National Parks Act 1949. The report proposed 12 NP's, 10 of which were established in the 1950's. Only the New Forest (set up in 2004) and the South Downs remained to be established.

Most of the area proposed for National Park designation are currently recognised as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB's) in recognition of their high landscape value. The East Hants AONB being established in 1962, and the Sussex Downs in 1966.

There has been a long-standing public campaign for the establishment of a National Park for the South Downs, which received support from the government in 1999. A designation order was submitted to the Secretary of State for a decision in 2003.

4. National Parks: A National Park must be an extensive tract of countryside, that because of its natural beauty and the opportunities it affords for open air recreation (including its proximity to urban areas), Natural England considers it especially desirable that legal measures are taken to safeguard it under the provisions of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949.

5. Inspectors report: The Inspector prepared a report of his findings. This is based on the evidence presented by all participants at the Inquiry. The report includes detailed boundary recommendations on any areas that he considers should be either included (or excluded) from the proposed National Park. Within his report the Inspector also proposes a major variation to the boundary. This affects a section of the Northern boundary broadly between Petersfield and Pulborough.

As a result of the Inspectors specific recommendation, this area of the boundary has been reviewed. The decision to exclude the Western Weald on the grounds of differing geology is not consistent with other, already designated, National Parks. The Peak District and the Lake District National Parks both contain more than one type of landscape character.