Include the Western Weald in the South Downs National Park

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Blackpatch

Ok, so not everyone agrees. The thing is - if the Western Weald does not qualify for National Park status, then it could by default lose it`s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty protection. What we want is a wider National Park to include the weald. So please sign the petition, then the whole south downs area & the weald could have the highest level of protection so that our wildlife can thrive in peace and all those who enjoy the countryside, can do so without threat of development!

Theres no logic to that at all - there are numerous AONBs that lie outside national parks. A wider national park will also mean that funding for the NP will be spread more thinnly acheiving less over a wider area (okay so they should fund it in proportion to land area but you can bet that the govt won't)

Also an NP won't guarantee protection from development - the govt can allow development within an NP if they feel it is in the overwhelming national interest - to whit agregate extraction in the peak , and in snowdonia and numerous other examples.

[Blackpatch]

For anyone wanting to know more about the South Downs Campaign (SDC) and our work to help create a South Downs National Park please use the following link: New Page 1

[tufftie]

I've lost track a bit - is Lewes council still objecting to NP status?

[Blackpatch]

Tufftie - No Lewes Council is also supporting the inclusion of their town which has been excluded by the Inspector along with places like Arundel & Ditchling which you would certainly expect to see in a South Downs National Park. Our major protagonists are West Sussex County Council & Chichester Borough Council - East Sussex & East Hampshire County Councils are in favour of a wider national park to include the Western Weald; in fact East Hampshire Council are a credit to their electorate & are doing all they can to persuade the Inspector at the Public Inquiry being held in Worthing right now!

For more information about the Inquiry: South Downs National Park Inquiry - Inquiry Programme

[Susie]

I've signed.

[Blackpatch]

Thanks for all your signatures - keep them comming, lets create a South Downs National Park

[Blackpatch]

Originally Posted by Blackpatch

Thanks for all your signatures - keep them comming, lets create a South Downs National Park

The public inquiry re-opens on the 15th April at Chatsworth Hotel, Worthing & the main topic will be the Western Weald.


Tuesday, 15th
Opening Statement / slideshow / agriculture
AONB status if areas are left outside the PSDNP

Wednesday 16th
Petersfield, Liss, Sussex settlements and landscape detractors
A3 & Woolmer Forest

Thursday 17th
Recreation
Inspector’s Alternative Boundary

Tuesday 22nd
Professor Robert Tregay (LDA-Design) – expert witness for the Campaign.

Andrew Tyrie MP is appearing at the inquiry next Thursday (10 April) also opposing the Western Weald being included in the National Park, although he wants it to keep its AONB status.

If you live in the area, please turn up or just sign the online petition.
-

[Blackpatch]

Thank you all for signing the Petition - last day to sign is today, 9th July 2008.
Let us hope that the Government Inspector sees sense & includes the Weald.

Many thanks,

Kirk (Blackpatch) Dickenson