The Local Plan is a very important document for the South Downs National Park as it sets out both the policies against which planning applications will be assessed and which sites are allocated for development. The FSD therefore took an active interest in the preparation of the original Plan in 2017.

The Local Plan is being reviewed and updated to ensure it addresses important issues such as nature recovery, climate change, affordable housing and helping local communities thrive.  The first stage of public consultation (known as Regulation 18) took place in January-March last year. We submitted over 100 comments of varying detail, agreeing with many of the proposed policies, but expressing concern about some aspects of the Plan.

Our District Officers, who keep an eye on planning applications in the National Park, assessed each of the 48 proposed new housing allocations. Whilst we accept that some development should take place in the National Park to meet the needs of the communities within it, we objected strongly to some of the proposed allocations because of the harm we believe that development on those sites would cause to the special qualities of the National Park.

The process of preparing the new Local Plan continues to move forward and the next stage of public consultation, known as Regulation 19, is taking place over 6 weeks between 12 May and 23 June. Following this, the Authority will submit the Plan to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination, along with the comments received and any proposed modifications.

We are therefore now again looking at how we can support the National Park Authority set a robust policy framework to provide for the community development needs of the South Downs whilst protecting the special qualities of the Park. Following discussion by the District Officers and agreement by Council, we will submit our representations in due course.