Greens support calls for greater clarity in South Downs inquiry
29 October 2007
Green Councillors in Brighton & Hove have welcomed the recent announcement by Defra that the public inquiry will be re-opened on the South Downs National Park in February, early next year [1].Cllr Pete West, Green Group Spokesperson for the South Downs said “It is great news that the public inquiry into the South Downs National Park boundary is to be re-visited, thanks to successful lobbying by campaigning groups such as The South Downs Campaign (SDC) [2].
“However, we are apprehensive that there is some lack of clarity on exactly what will be discussed at the inquiry, in particular the exclusion of the Western Weald and settlements like Lewes and Ditchling.
“We are concerned about the integrity of the South Downs National Park as a whole if these important areas and settlements are not included within the proposed boundary, as we feel that it is the mix of landscape and inhabited areas which define the character of South Downs. We don’t want to see this watered down, or places becoming unprotected”.
In his response to the recent Defra consultation, Cllr West stated that “It is excellent to see the inclusion of additional areas of the Brighton & Hove urban fringe. Brighton & Hove is a very high-density city with a low percentage of car ownership.
“Many residents don’t have access to private open space or easy access to public recreational open space, therefore bringing the National Park into the city allows the residents ease of access to these areas, often being able to walk to many of these open spaces.
“We especially welcome the National Park coming right down through the city to the sea, which we hope will enable us, with the advent of the Marine Bill, to sustainably manage our seaside and to connect these areas, sea and land, together.”
Cllr West added “We will now begin to work with community groups to ensure a full and fair hearing at the public inquiry, and will begin discussions with officers at the local authority regarding a new visitors’ centre. We see Brighton & Hove as the city gateway to the National Park, and this presents a huge opportunity not only to protect and enhance our landscape, but also to boost green tourism and visitor numbers”.
A public Pre-Inquiry Meeting will take place at 2pm on Tuesday 11 December 2007 in The Great Hall, The Hove Centre, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 4AH.
Notes to editors:
[1] Defra has announced that: The Inquiry will re-open at 10am on Tuesday 12 February 2008 at The Chatsworth Hotel, Steyne, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3DU. See the following link for more information: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/issues/landscap/natparks/sdowns/index.htm[2] The South Downs Campaign is a network of over 120 organisations. As well as many national conservation, environmental and amenity organisations who are members, the SDC has a number of members which are parish and town councils as well as many other local organisations – a full list of members is available on request. The SDC is generously supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
CONTACTS:
Cllr Pete West – pete.west@brighton-hove.gov.uk – 07825 387373
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