West Sussex County Council: South Downs National Park

On 12th November 2009, following a short inquiry about a few proposed additions to the National Park, the designation of the South Downs National Park was confirmed. The designation comes into effect on 1st April 2010, and at the same time the two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Sussex Downs AONB and East Hampshire AONB, will be de-designated. The shadow South Downs National Park Authority (sSDNPA) will also be established on that day. It will operate as a shadow Authority until 1st April 2011 when the SDNPA takes up its full powers. During the transition year the South Downs Joint Committee, which currently operates in the South Downs, will be wound down while the SDNP starts to take on its new role.

The SDNPA will be the Planning Authority and the Access Authority for the Park Area. For further details see Functions of the National Park.

A South Downs Establishment Team has been set up by Defra (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) to establish the SDNPA and ensure that following its shadow year the Authority is ready to be fully operational. Newsletters from the Team can be downloaded from the South Downs National Park Authority website. 

• 01. Information, facts and figures about the South Downs
• 02. Looking after the South Downs: the current situation
• 03. Area of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) vs National Park
• 04. West Sussex County Council's position on the future of the South Downs
• 05. Timeline
• 06. Useful Links
• 07. Frequently asked questions
• 08. Functions of the National Park Authority