South Downs to become National Park (From The Argus)
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South Downs to become England's ninth National Park
10:20am Tuesday 31st March 2009 in News By Andy Tate, Parliamentary Correspondent
NATIONAL PARK: The South Downs
The South Downs has been given the go-ahead to become England's ninth National Park.
The new 627 square mile protected area will be home to an estimated 120,000 people, stretching from Beachy Head to the edge of Winchester in Hampshire, in line with an independent inspector's recommendations following a 19-month public inquiry.
A new South Downs National Park Authority is expected to be established by April 2010 and become fully operational a year later.
Click here for our archive of news about the fight to make the Downs a national park.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "Having considered the inspector's report and recommendations carefully, and agreed that the statutory criteria are met, I have decided that the South Downs including the so-called Western Weald should be confirmed as a National Park.
"It is fitting that in this year, the 60th anniversary of the radical legislation that gave birth to National Parks, we are celebrating an addition to the family.
"National Park status can be a real boost for the local economy, attracting new visitors, businesses and investment, but above all, the South Downs' wonderful countryside will be protected forever for the enjoyment of everyone."
For more information and a map of the proposed boundary of the South Downs National Park go to www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/protected-areas/national-parks/south-downs/index.htm.
Comments(13)
Nancy Platts
says...
1:16pm Tue 31 Mar 09
generations to enjoy. Chris Todd has led a superb campaign and Brighton Pavilion Labour Party enthusiasically supported it by distributing
thousands of postcards to shops, cafes and people's homes. Nancy Platts Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion
Alison Smith
says...
1:51pm Tue 31 Mar 09
notaconspiracy
says...
2:00pm Tue 31 Mar 09
Mart
says...
2:45pm Tue 31 Mar 09
Alison Smith wrote:Saltdean, Rottingdean and Roedean are sort of included, as the new National Park Boundry will begin where the built up areas in those districts currently end.
Pity it doesn't include the whole stretch of the cliffs from the Seven Sisters to Medeira Drive Brighton. Why not include Saldean, Rottingdean, Roedean & the Marina ?
Human Machine
says...
3:30pm Tue 31 Mar 09
mackeson
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4:31pm Tue 31 Mar 09
Scoomer
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5:42pm Tue 31 Mar 09
quedula
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7:07pm Tue 31 Mar 09
pigletstrotters
says...
8:19pm Tue 31 Mar 09
S.T. Rewth
says...
8:33pm Tue 31 Mar 09
Nancy Platts wrote:Glory grabbing here are we not? Concentrate on getting your own prospective ward protected for all from drunks and druggies!
This is fantastic news for everyone, but especially for all those who have campaigned so hard and for so long to protect the South Downs for future generations to enjoy. Chris Todd has led a superb campaign and Brighton Pavilion Labour Party enthusiasically supported it by distributing thousands of postcards to shops, cafes and people's homes. Nancy Platts Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion
IKDRF
says...
12:15am Wed 1 Apr 09
Tye
says...
8:13am Thu 2 Apr 09
Remember this when you vote!
It also means any new roads/update of the A27 will mean destruction of property in towns along the south coast as no roads will be built on the protected bit of green
Grass before people eh?
Lil says...
12:20pm Tue 31 Mar 09