| South Downs National Park designation takes effect at Midnight tonight! |
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| Written by Administrator | |
| Wednesday, 31 March 2010 14:10 | |
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The new South Downs National Park is designated at a minute past midnight on Wednesday 31 March. Covering an area over 1600 square kilometres, the South Downs National Park is the tenth National Park to be designated in England, offering an area of protected countryside that everyone can visit and enjoy. The famous South Downs Way, loved by walkers, cyclists and horse riders, stretches the entire 160 km length of the Park from Winchester in Hampshire to the white chalk cliffs of Beachy Head, near Eastbourne.Richard Shaw, Interim Chief Executive for South Downs National Park Authority said ‘I’m delighted that we have reached this important milestone. The South Downs has been nationally recognised for its natural beauty and the space it offers for people to enjoy the countryside. This is why it has been made into a National Park.’ The South Downs National Park Authority is the lead organisation responsible for promoting the purposes of the National Park, working in partnership with other Local Authorities and organisations. The Authority has 27 Members appointed from Local Authorities covering the Park, Parish Councillors plus National Members appointed by the Secretary of State. The Authority will formally meet for the first time on 20th April, 2010. The Authority will have a year to prepare itself before it becomes fully operational in April 2011, including becoming the statutory Planning and Access Authority. Speaking on the historic date, Richard Shaw said ‘We have been struck by the love of the South Downs that people have expressed to us from across the region. Over the next two to three decades, there will be intense pressures on the Downs area – from development to climate change. The South Downs now has the highest level of landscape protection afforded to an area in the UK and National Park designation will help to keep the South Downs special. A single organisation – the National Park Authority has been established, with a dedicated focus on working with others to conserve and enhance what is special about the South Downs. We hope that the new National Park will make a positive difference to those who live and work here, and those who visit.’
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