Thousands of responses to new South Downs Draft Local Plan

A total of around 1,300 individuals and organisations took part in the consultation for the South Downs National Park Authority’s proposed new Local Plan, which closed on June 23.

The plan will shape development across the national park for the next 20 years and replace a previous version adopted in 2019.

It aims to address needs such as affordable housing, nature recovery, climate action and economic growth.

All feedback will be reviewed ahead of submission to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination later this year.

The plan would see hundreds of homes built in Lewes (Image: Andrew Hasson)

Claire Tester, head of strategic planning for the South Downs National Park Authority, said: "This is such an important plan for the future of this wonderful National Park and I’d like to thank each and every person who has responded so far to the consultations.

"One of the key concerns from the community that came up in our latest consultation was that the South Downs Local Plan includes more proposed housing and other development given that this is a national park.

“We have statutory purposes to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area, and to help people understand and appreciate those assets. However, we also have a statutory duty to foster the economic and social wellbeing of our communities.

“The South Downs is Britain’s most populated national park with more than 113,000 residents, living in one of the four towns and smaller villages and settlements, and we have nearly 6,000 businesses.

“Therefore, it’s important we plan for the future and the continued vitality of these towns and villages, supporting local facilities and ensuring there are suitable homes, particularly affordable homes for local communities."

Concerns raised in the consultation included the addition of new development sites and significant changes to previously identified locations.

A total of 77 sites have been allocated for development, with more than 3,500 new houses planned.

Key proposals include almost 700 homes for the North Street Quarter site in Lewes, and more than 500 on the site of the former Shoreham Cement Works.

The former Shoreham cement works site forms one of the most significant proposals (Image: Google)

Ms Tester said: "It’s important that we listen to the feedback received at each consultation stage.

"This includes feedback from some of our partner councils that the local plan should do more to address housing needs in the area."

She added: “The submission of new sites at all stages of plan preparation is a recognised part of the plan-making process.

“Comments made on all these proposed sites will be considered by the authority prior to submission of the local plan and by the Inspector during the examination.”