Introduction
Sussex Wildlife Trust Policy
What is a National Park?
What does a National Park Authority do?
Will local voices be heard?
How would the Park be funded?
What powers would a National Park Authority have?
Wouldn’t a National Park attract too many tourists?
Aren’t the South Downs protected already?
Do the South Downs qualify for National Park status?
Does the general public want a National Park?
Contact details
Introduction [top]
The South Downs is the quintessential Sussex landscape. It is both a landscape of outstanding value and an internationally important set of wildlife habitats. From the herb rich downland turf to wooded hillsides and heather strewn expanses of heathland, this is an exceptional place. Yet it is a place under a great deal of pressure. Changes in agriculture, road development and urban expansion have all eroded the area.
For about a decade the SWT has been urging government to confer the status equivalent to a National Park on the South Downs. Since the National Parks were first designated, in the 1940’s, the South Downs has been put forward as one of those areas deserving special recognition yet, for one reason or another, they have always fallen through the net.
Recently, however, things have changed. The government asked its Countryside Agency to re-examine the case for the South Downs and in April 2000 the Agency confirmed that it did consider that the Downs are eligible for National Park status.
Sussex Wildlife Trust Policy [top]
Our policy is:
That the South Downs should receive status equivalent to a national park
That the area covered by such status should cover at least the current area of both the
South Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the East Hampshire AONB.
That a future National Park Authority should have full planning powers.
What is a National Park? [top]
National Parks are areas of the countryside which are designated for two purposes:
to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage; and
to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the public.
If there is ever a conflict between the purposes, greater weight is attached to the first. This is enshrined in legislation, throughout a National Park the conservation and enhancement of its special qualities would be paramount.
The Government regards National Park designation as conferring the highest status of protection as far as landscape and scenic beauty are concerned. It also believes that National Parks should be models for the sustainable management of wider countryside.
What does a National Park Authority do? [top]
A National Park Authority’s role is to further the National Park purposes (above). In pursuing National Park purposes National Park Authorities have a statutory duty to seek to foster the economic and social well being of local communities. A National Park Authority would build on the work of the Sussex Downs Conservation Board and the East Hampshire AONB Joint Advisory Committee.
Will local voices be heard? [top]
In 1995 legislation was introduced that ensures that local interests are properly represented. 25% less one person of a South Downs National Park Authority would consist of Parish Councillors, 50% plus one person would be appointed by county and district councils and the remaining 25% would be appointed by the Secretary of State. There would be more local representation (75%) than under the current arrangements for the Sussex Downs where only 66% of the Sussex Downs Conservation Board are local authority members.
How would the Park be funded? [top]
Because a National Park is considered to be of national significance, 75% of funding comes from the National Exchequer and 25% from the local authorities. The local authorities’ annual grant from central government would take account of any extra costs that a National Park might incur. In fact, the existence of a National Park would help to attract other funding (e.g. from Europe, the Lottery and landfill tax) as has been the case in existing National Parks which would benefit everyone, particularly local communities.
What powers would a National Park Authority have? [top]
This would be the planning authority for the area. It would provide continuity of planning policy and enable a strategic approach to be taken across the Downs. Planning powers are one of the most effective ways of protecting an area. Rather than creating additional bureaucracy, a National Park Authority would dove-tail with existing planning authorities working together to ensure the best protection and management of the region.
A National Park Authority is able to provide grants and advice to local people. Farmers in National Parks are likely to be better off than in equivalent areas outside as they will have access to more resources and incentives for the management of the countryside.
Wouldn’t a National Park attract too many tourists? [top]
The South Downs are already extremely well known and receive about 32 million visits per year – far more than many existing National Parks. It is unlikely that a change in name would generate a big increase in visitors. A National Park would, however, bring an increase in resources so that the Downs can be more effectively managed for people to enjoy without causing damage to their special qualities.
Aren’t the South Downs protected already? [top]
The South Downs are currently designated as two (AONBs), East Hampshire and the Sussex Downs. Despite this and the existence of the Sussex Downs Conservation Board, the Downs have suffered damage from development such as the road through Twyford Down as well as the slow creep of small-scale development. A National Park would command greater resources and would bring stronger protection. This will include a duty on all public bodies to have regard to the two purposes of designation.
Do the South Downs qualify for National Park status? [top]
The South Downs meets the criteria for designation. They are of sufficient natural beauty, as the existing AONB status testifies, they are large enough (bigger than some of the existing National Parks), are close to centres of population and afford good opportunities for open-air recreation. There are no legal criteria on the wildness, area of open countryside or shape of designated area.
Does the general public want a National Park? [top]
62% of members of the public and over 50% of all respondents to the Countryside Commission’s consultation were in favour of National Park status. National Park status was clearly the most popular option with ‘maintaining the status quo’ (11.3%) the second most popular option. In a national opinion poll (conducted by NOP) of all the people aware of the debate about the future of the Downs, 83% were in favour of National Park status. Of all respondents in the Meridian TV region 84% were in favour. Brighton and Hove Council is the only local authority that actually consulted local people on the future of the Downs.They found that a large majority supported National Park status.
For further information contact: [top]
Council for National Parks, 246 Lavender Hill, London, SW11 1LJ 0207 924 4077, info@cnp.org.uk
http://www.cnp.org.uk
Gregor Hutcheon, CPRE, Warwick House, 25 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W OPP 0207 976 6433, info@cnp.org.uk
Robin Crane, South Downs Campaign, c/o Sussex Wildlife Trust, Woods Mill Countryside Centre, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9SD 01273 492630. www.cnp.org.uk/south_downs_campaign.htm
photo Pete Woodhead
