Countryside chiefs are to consult with councils about including land earmarked for the axed Arundel bypass in the proposed South Downs national park.

The line the road had been expected to follow was excluded from the final park proposals, causing anger among campaigners who said the land was of national park standard.

The Argus reported in July that the Countryside Agency was considering re-including the land, after Transport Secretary Alistair Darling's decision to scrap the bypass.

His decision prompted a furious reaction among councils and business groups, which are now expected to oppose any move to extend the park.

The boundary line would be moved slightly further south where it crosses the Arun valley, and a corridor of woodland where the road would have passed along.

The axed bypass would have followed an arcing route south of Arundel and cut through woodland at Tortington Common and nearby Binsted Wood.

Keith Dodman, of the Friends of Tortington Common, said: "This is a good thing because it would stop development there. It is a nice little Shangri-La."

The agency's board had agreed to reconsider the boundary at Arundel if the bypass plans failed when it decided to designate the national park.

Tex Pemberton, who holds the environment portfolio on West Sussex County Council's ruling Cabinet, accused the agency of acting too soon.

He said congestion was causing environment problems and the agency should not attempt to "swallow up" land until the future of the A27 was known.

He said: "It is quite clear the door is not closed on the A27. There is an adjustment to be made and we are having talks to see what that adjustment should be."

The agency will start consulting with councils and other statutory bodies for six weeks from Monday.

The public inquiry into the proposed national park begins at Worthing on November 10.