An eight-week consultation begins this month as the National Park invites people to have their say on how and where development takes place. The award-winning South Downs Local Plan is being reviewed to ensure it’s upto-date and addresses important issues such as nature recovery, climate change, affordable housing and helping local communities thrive.
The public consultation of the Local Plan Review started in January and will run until 17th March. This is the main opportunity for people to help shape the final Plan, so the National Park is encouraging the public to get involved.
Local Plans set out where future development will take place, such as new homes and locations for business growth, as well as key policies, such as protecting nature and heritage, against which future planning applications will be judged. The Local Plan will continue to prioritise the provision of clean air, water, dark skies and food and a medium level of growth spread across the towns and villages of the UK’s youngest National Park.
The National Park Authority is now inviting comments from local communities, stakeholders and the development sector. This feedback will then help shape the next version of the Local Plan, which will be published in 2026 ahead of its submission for examination by an independent inspector. Once the new Local Plan is adopted in 2027, it will be used to help decide all planning applications in the National Park.
Tim Slaney, Director at the National Park Authority, said: “Planning is the beating heart of the National Park, deciding where development takes place and how we conserve and enhance its amazing landscape, wildlife and heritage. “This is not an entirely new Local Plan and we would like to keep many of the existing policies that are working well. We need to ensure the Plan remains up-to-date and delivers on our priorities of nature recovery, climate action and a ‘National Park for All’. As part of the Review, we will also be incorporating policies around the future of Shoreham Cement Works. The Local Plan Review is still in its early stages and no decisions have been made. This consultation is a really key opportunity for people to influence what happens next and we’re looking forward to hearing people’s comments.”
Responses to the consultation can be made in the following ways:
• Online: Using the consultation platform to view and give feedback on the draft revised Local Plan at www.bit.ly/4jnDwWD
• Email: planningpolicy@southdowns.gov.uk
• In writing: Planning Policy Team, South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9DH