South Downs Network launches, as South Downs Campaign completes its work

A new alliance between major environmental groups has led to the creation of the South Downs Network, which will fight long term for the best possible South Downs National Park.  The groups, all long standing supporters of the hugely successful South Downs Campaign, want to ensure that environmental matters are given high priority in the work of the new National Park Authority which will come into being this April [1,2].

Ruth Chambers from the Campaign for National Parks will be the interim chair of the South Downs Network.  Robin Crane, the long time chairman of the now disbanded South Downs Campaign, said “The work of the Campaign has finished, as we always stated our objective was to see the National Park successfully designated and gaining the protection and recognition that this landscape so richly deserves.  We have long planned for a successor organisation to take over the mantle and are delighted that our major supporting environmental groups have agreed to establish the Network.“  Robin continued “I will retire after a very long innings. I am delighted that Ruth has agreed to become interim chairman of the Network. With her knowledge and wise advice, has been a key member of the South Downs Campaign”.

Ruth Chambers said “Along with our partners the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the South Downs Society, Sussex Wildlife Trust, and the Ramblers we want to ensure a continuing drive for the new National Park to be outstanding in its protection of the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the South Downs National Park.”

“The new Network is inviting the many organisations [3] who belonged to the campaign now to join the South Downs Network.  The Network has a clear vision for and strong commitment to the long term protection of the South Downs National Park, and we encourage organisations to join us in taking forward our enduring role as a critical friend for the new Park Authority”, she said.

Notes to Editors

[1] The confirmation order was signed by the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on November 12th 2009 at Ditchling, within the designated area of the National Park.

[2] The National Park will formally be created on 31 March 2010.  On the same date the current Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) designations in East Hampshire and the Sussex Downs will be revoked.  The reason for this delay is to allow the South Downs Joint Committee (whose existence is reliant on the AONB designations) to continue to function while the South Downs National Park Authority is established.  The shadow Park Authority will be established on 1 April 2010, and the legal order to enable this to happen will shortly be laid before Parliament.

[3] Founded in 1990, the membership of the South Downs Campaign grew to around 160 organisations and includes most of the key national and regional conservation, environmental and amenity organisations concerned with the countryside.  It included over 90 local groups, societies and businesses and 29 parish and town councils.

Contact:  Ruth Chambers (Campaign for National Parks): 020 7924 4077 ext 222