• Cycling in the Downs

    Have you ever thought of doing sections of the South Downs Way on your bicycle? For anyone not so keen on the uphill sections there are electric bikes available for hire in a number of towns located close to the South Downs Way. Midhurst is the recommended start point for this 20 mile roundtrip. E-Bike

    Read More

  • Planning Update for Hampshire Festival

    An organisation has applied for planning permission in the South Downs National Park between Alton and Bordon. This planning application concerns a site off the B3004 in the parish of Worldham. Application details: SDNP/19/03709/FUL  Change of use of Oakland Farm and associated land holdings from Agriculture and B8 (Open Storage) to mixed use Agriculture, B8

    Read More

  • Appeal against enforcement by shooting organisation at Iford near Lewes

    Iford Shoot Appeal Hearing The battle to protect the South Downs by local communities against the expansion of commercial shooting on the Downs near Lewes took another turn last month. Despite previous planning action by the local council, commercial shooting on the Downs near Lewes has continued over the last 10 years. Lewes District Council

    Read More

  • Taller Mobile Phone Masts?

    Is the relaxation of Permitted Development Rights (PDRs) the right way forward to support the deployment of 5G and extend mobile networks? Report by Friends of the South Downs Policy Officer, Victor Ient After some considerable research using my own telecommunications experience, updated by consulting engineers currently working in the mobile sector, I have submitted,

    Read More

  • News from Campaign for National Parks

    Bill Bryson, Carol Vorderman and others call to increase school visits to National Parks 17 celebrities including award winning writer Bill Bryson, Gordon Buchanan, Carol Vorderman and Caroline Quentin have come together to call for urgent action to get more school children into the National Parks.   The well-known names signed an open letter organised

    Read More