South Downs National Park Announced
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Proposed South Downs National Park - Intended boundary for confirmation announced on 31 March 2009 On 31st March 2009 Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced his decision to confirm the designation of the South Downs National Park. The designation process originally started in April 2000. Following a period of public consultation the Countryside Agency - now Natural England – made a National Park designation order in December 2002 showing the area that it believed should be included. The proposed boundary was considered in detail at the resulting Public Inquiry that ran between 10 November 2003 and 18 March 2005. At this enquiry Sandgate Conservation Society and the National Trust pressed for the inclusion of Sandgate Park, Sullington Warren, Warren Hill and Washington Common. The Secretary of State’s announcement did not include Sullington Warren or Sandgate Park. It did however include Washington Common and Warren Hill. This represents a partial victory for Sandgate Conservation Society. |