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14th July 2010 - Protocol agreed for public participation at Planning Committee meetings

The Planning Committee of South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) held its second meeting on 12 July at Ford, near Arundel, at which a protocol for public participation at Planning Committee meetings was agreed.

The South Downs National Park Authority will be the sole planning authority for the South Downs National Park from 1 April 2011. Until then, as it is not the planning authority, the 15 Local Authorities in South Downs National Park have agreed to consult it on significant planning applications and policy matters. Key consultation responses on planning applications and policy will be made at meetings of the SDNPA Planning Committee. The agreed protocol provides an opportunity for public representations to be made to the Planning Committee.

Commenting after the meeting, Andrew Shaxson, Chair of the Planning Committee said, ‘The SDNPA’s invitation to speak at Planning Committee meetings aims to ensure that its Members have the information that they need to provide well informed consultation responses on planning applications and related matters and to achieve greater fairness and value. The National Park Authority is always keen to engage with the local community and this new protocol for public participation gives people an opportunity to have their say’.

A maximum of six people will be able to speak on each planning application or related matter, (three in support and three against). Each speaker will be given up to three minutes to speak.

Reports and agenda’s for Planning Committee meetings can be found on the South Downs National Park website, www.southdowns.gov..uk These are publicised at least seven days before the meeting date. Those wishing to speak at an SDNPA Planning Committee should notify the SDNPA beforehand, by telephoning Annie Leathes on 0730 811144. A local Parish, Town, District, Unitary or County Councillor can speak on behalf of the representative, if preferred.

The protocol for public participation at Planning Committee meetings is available on the National Park Authority website, in About the Authority - Comittees - Planning Committee, and will also be circulated to local Parish Councils.

In the Authority's shadow year, the role of the Planning Committee is to establish efficient Planning procedures and policies, in preparation for when the National Park Authority become the sole local planning authority for the South Downs National Park from April 2011.

Please contact Jennie Saul, Interim Press & Publications Officer at South Downs National Park, for more information: jennie.saul@southdowns.gov.uk, tel 01730 811133 or visit the South Downs National Park website at www.southdowns.gov.uk

Link to South Downs National Park Map with boundary detail

National Park Authority Interim Team

The Interim team (some members of the team pictured right), led by Dr Richard Shaw is paving the way for the National Park to take up its full powers in April 2011.

The Interim Team produces regular newsletters which are available below. You'll find information in the newsletter about subscribing to a regular Interim Team update. The National Park Authority website reports on all the latest developments regarding the transition to a National Park, please visit www.southdowns.gov.uk

December 2009 Newsletter (Adobe Acrobat)

October 2009 Newsletter (Adobe Acrobat)

March 2010 Newsletter (Adobe Acrobat)

May 2010 Newsletter (Adobe Acrobat)

July 2010 Newsletter (Adobe Acrobat)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will be advising the Interim Chief Executive?

Dr Shaw will be advised on the structure and administration of the new Authority by a steering group, which has already been established by the Government’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). This comprises representatives from Defra, local councils, The South Downs Joint Committee, The Government Office of the South East and Natural England. There is also a member from the Peak District National Park to promote links with the UK's family of National Parks.

A further group will advise Dr Shaw on the interests of environmental groups and people living and working in the protected area. This group comprises South Downs Joint Committee Members and our established Advisory Forum, including representatives from organisations such as the National Farmers’ Union, The Wildlife Trusts, The South Downs Society and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Through these two groups, it is expected that a wide range of voices will be heard and that organisations involved will be able to inform their members.

What happens next?

A ‘shadow’ National Park Authority is planned to be established by April 2010 and this is expected to be fully operational in April 2011.

The South Downs Joint Committee’s work protecting, conserving and enhancing the landscape will continue as before, until the organisation is wound up on 31 March 2011. The area is already protected by its AONB status and local people, businesses and visitors should not encounter disruption during the transition.

Could the decision still be appealed against?

‘Other than the six additional areas (noted above), which are subject to a new consultation exercise, the only remaining avenue for challenge is if a person questions the validity of the South Downs National Parks (Designation) Order 2002 on the grounds that it is not within the powers of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, or that the 1949 Act has not been complied with in relation to the making of the Order.

In that case there will be a 6 week period after the date of publication of the confirmation notice in which a person can make a High Court challenge.’ Defra

The work of the South Downs Joint Committee in protecting, conserving and enhancing the South Downs AONBs will continue as before, through any challenge, until the National Park Authority is fully operational.

Defra’s helpline on telephone: 08459 33 55 77 is open Mon-Fri: 8am to 6pm
Email: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk

What about AONB areas not included in a National Park?

On 31 March 2010, the AONB designation will be revoked. About 800 ha of land (made up of 70 small pockets of land) will lose their AONB status and will be excluded from the National Park.Outstanding Natural Beauty, to coincide with the National park coming into being.

These include areas of land that have been at least partially built on, the largest being the University of Sussex and land south of the Shoreham bypass. The most significant piece of undeveloped land excluded is Toads Hole Valley, south of the Brighton bypass. It will be up to the local authorities to decide whether any local protective designation should now be applied to any of these pockets of land.

How does a National Park differ from an AONB in terms of Management?

AONBs are managed by a partnership of stakeholders. The South Downs AONBs are currently managed by the South Downs Joint Committee (SDJC), a collaboration of 15 local authorities and Natural England created to manage the area whilst a decision on its designation was made. The SDJC works with annually agreed budgets and was never intended to be a permanent body.

The National Park will be managed by a National Park Authority (NPA), a robust, permanent body which will be set up over the course of around 2 years. In the meantime, the South Downs will continue to be managed by the SDJC.

How will planning rules change?

The South Downs is already protected by its AONB status, so planning and development rules will be the same.

The NPA will become the planning authority for the area within the boundary. The NPA may choose to delegate aspects of this work to established local planning authorities. This is still to be agreed upon.

National Park status will not preclude further development. The aim is not to maintain a nostalgic, ‘trapped in time’ Park, but a living, working landscape with protected local distinctiveness for future generations to enjoy.

What about the impact on local businesses?

Local businesses are likely to benefit from the interest in the South Downs National Park.

The SDJC is a partner in the COLLABOR8 project which makes funding available to clusters of local entrepreneurs who wish to make their businesses more sustainable and make the most of the local distinctiveness of the area.

Find out more about COLLABOR8 by clicking on 'Proctecting the Landscape' and then 'COLLABOR8'.

How will access rules change?

The National Park confirmation will not, in itself, alter any access rules on any land. The area has been protected by its AONB status for many years and contains established rights of way and open access areas. None of these will change as a result of the confirmation of the National Park.

Will the South Downs be overwhelmed by visitors?

As two AONBs, the South Downs already records around 39 million visitor days every year. This is more than any other National Park. However, the majority of visitors are local people using the area on a regular basis for walking and other activities.

Whilst some increase in visitor numbers may be expected, the South Downs Joint Committee is working to encourage people to leave their cars at home. Two examples are the popular ‘Breeze’ buses which run from Brighton up on to the Downs, and ‘Trails by Rails’ which encourage visitors to take the train. You can find out more about these by clicking on 'Visit South Downs'.

Facts about the National Park

South Downs National Park Fact Sheet (Adobe Acrobat)

What are we up to on the Downs? Visit our news page