How Much Longer Must We Wait For England's 10th National Park?

06.06.07

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) [1] is calling for speedy confirmation of the South Downs National Park [2] which was promised by the Government eight years ago [3].

The delay in confirming England’s 10th National Park has been caused by a legal challenge to the way that National Parks have been designated since the 1950s [5]. The Government has now clarified National Park legislation in the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 [6].

Emma Marrington, CPRE National Park campaigner said: ‘Now that the South Downs National Park designation process is back on track the Government needs to keep its promise: confirm the National Park, include all the land which merits national protection, and establish a National Park Authority with full planning powers.’

‘Considering that the Government promised this National Park as a gift to the nation in 1999, it is certainly a long time coming. We have fought alongside many other countryside organisations [7] to secure the best possible National Park for people who enjoy the South Downs [8]. It’s about time this precious landscape got the recognition it deserves,’ she continued.

In light of the revised National Park legislation the Government [9] is expected to ask for further comments before making a final decision.

Emma concluded: ‘The South East region is faced with ever growing development pressure and a rising population. This makes it even more important to safeguard the South Downs as an important resource for the health and well-being of the nation. The South Downs have been used to inspire the public to fight for their country. Now more than ever we need the country to fight for the South Downs. We need a South Downs National Park now!’

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Sir Max Hastings. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

2. The designated South Downs National Park will include the majority of the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the East Hampshire AONB. The boundary proposed by the Countryside Agency in 2003 includes 1,637 sq. km of land.

3. John Prescott MP, then Deputy Prime Minister, announced Labour’s plans for two new National Parks at the Labour Party Conference in September 1999. The New Forest National Park was confirmed in 2005. The full text of the speech can be viewed at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/460795.stm

5. The South Downs National Park designation process was put on hold in February 2006 following a High Court Judgment (known as the 'Meyrick' Judgment) on a challenge to the New Forest National Park designation. This Judgment challenged the criteria used to designate National Parks since the 1950s. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) appealed against the Judgment but this was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in February 2007.

6. The Government clarified the National Parks legislation through part 5 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006. The aim was to return the application of the criteria to that previously generally understood. The new clauses came into effect in May 2006.

7. CPRE is an active member of the South Downs Campaign (SDC). The SDC is a network of over 110 national, regional and local organisations who are working together to achieve the best possible National Park. More information on the campaign can be found at: www.southdownscampaign.org.uk

8. Approximately 39 million visitors come to the South Downs each year, according to a Countryside Agency survey in 2003. There is huge public support for the National Park. The BBC Politics Show ran a survey during the period 27 February - 3 March 2007, 1601 people voted and 95% were in favour. Further details can be found on the Politics Show website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/politics_show/6403369.stm

9. DEFRA has asked Natural England for their view on how the NERC Act and the Meyrick Judgment will affect the South Downs National Park Designation Order. In view of these changes, it is likely that DEFRA will ask for further public representations and then the public inquiry may re-open for a short time. This may be as early as autumn 2007.

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