South Downs plan sets bold targets for climate and nature

The five-year masterplan, launched by the South Downs National Park Authority to run from 2026 to 2031, sets out a roadmap to address urgent challenges across the South East.

Aimed at supporting nature recovery, improving community wellbeing and building climate resilience in the South Downs and surrounding areas, the plan includes targets for increasing woodland, reducing pollution, promoting sustainable farming and engaging with 2,500 schools and delivering 500 nature-based activity sessions for young people.

Siôn McGeever, chief executive of the South Downs National Park Authority, said: "This new partnership plan is hugely ambitious – and rightly so because our wonderful National Park deserves nothing less.

"As a human race we're facing the biggest challenges of our time and National Parks have a key role to play – as hubs for nature recovery and climate action and, perhaps most importantly, places of hope."

The programme sets out goals and actions under seven shared priorities: nature recovery, climate action, clean water, young people, welcome and access, arts and heritage and creating "a thriving, greener place."

Key environmental targets include increasing tree canopy and woodland coverage by 2,625 hectares by 2031, restoring or creating more than 3,300 hectares of wildlife-rich habitats and achieving “high” or “good” water quality in all bodies of water within the National Park by 2027.

The plan also aims to complete 300 new affordable homes by 2031 and secure planning permission for an additional 500.

The plan has been widely welcomed by partners, including water and wildlife organisations, councils and businesses across the region.

Councillor Nick Adams-King, leader of Hampshire County Council, said: "We look forward to working with the South Downs National Park to support the Partnership Management Plan.

"Collaborations such as this help advance the ambitions of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Hampshire and highlight how we all have a part to play in protecting and enhancing Hampshire’s rich and diverse natural environment."

The Partnership Management Plan will run until 2031.