Natural England

An area of iconic English landscape almost as big as the Isle of Wight could be at risk if a revised South Downs National Park boundary is accepted, warned Natural England ahead of the re-opening of the public inquiry on Tuesday 12 February.

Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England, said: “This is the final chapter in securing a long awaited South Downs National Park, but if the story is going to have a happy ending, the Western Weald must be included in the designation."

“Natural England has always maintained that the smaller boundary is the wrong decision and it is high time we awarded the South Downs the elite National Park status it deserves. We need to get this right."

“This unique piece of countryside is an important haven for people and the natural environment - it supports one of the world’s leading regional economies and provides an escape from hectic London life,” concluded Sir Martin

The Inspector’s grounds for excluding the Western Weald are based on differing geology and are not consistent with already designated National Parks such as the Peak District and Lake District which contain more than one landscape character.

Natural England will be giving evidence during the public inquiry in support of a South Downs National Park that includes the rolling grassland and sandstone forests of the Western Weald.

Those who have made representations in the recent consultation will be invited to voice their opinions at the re-opening of the public inquiry on 12 February and Natural England is encouraging supporters to speak up for the Western Weald.

Following the public inquiry the Inspector will submit proposals to the Environment Secretary who will make the final decision on the boundary for the South Downs National Park.

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For more information and photographs of the Western Weald contact Natural England’s national Press Office on 07900 608 196, out of hours 07970 098005, email press@naturalengland.org.uk, or visit our website at www.naturalengland.org.uk

Notes for editors:

1. The Western Weald: Natural England was asked by Defra to draw up both the original proposal for a South Downs National Park, which included the Western Weald, which stretches from Pulborough in Wessex to Petersfield in Hampshire, 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.

   The Western Weald could lose the protection it currently receives as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and therefore vulnerable to development pressures if a new, smaller National Park boundary is agreed. This would jeopardise an area of iconic English countryside and 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.

   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.

   Local opinion: Through representations in the recent public consultation, local residents have expressed concern at the Inspector's suggestion to exclude the Western Weald from the South Downs National Park. Local residents are concerned that the area proposed for exclusion includes some of the very few areas of heathland in the south of England, so far not spoilt by development and that it provides many people living in the area with attractive open spaces that they are free to enjoy. Other comments include that the area provides great walking opportunities and that it provides a sense of wilderness, which is a rarity in the hectic south east region. As well as concern that if the Western Weald is left unprotected, then future generations will never be able to appreciate this wonderful English landscape.

2. 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.

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. 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.

6. 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.