Newest National Park celebrated by adventurer Ben Fogle

20 October 2009

Broadcaster, adventurer and President of the Campaign for National Parks, Ben Fogle walked with two hundred people on Saturday 17 October to celebrate the South Downs becoming a National Park.  

Ben said: “Congratulations to everyone who campaigned so hard and for so long for the South Downs to be designated a National Park.  I grew up not far from here and I have many special memories of this area.  It is wonderful that it will at long last get the protection it deserves. “

John Songhurst, Chairman of the South Downs Society, said “We are delighted that Ben has joined us for this very special celebration.  The South Downs Society has been working for the protection of the Downs since 1923, and it is tremendous that the area is now to be protected as a National Park.”

Ben Fogle was joined by members of the public, supporters of the Campaign for National Parks, the South Downs Society, and many others who have campaigned so hard to secure the South Downs’ protection as a National Park.  

For further information, please contact
Liz Wall (Campaign for National Parks) tel 020 7924 4077 x223 
Jacquetta Fewster (South Downs Society) tel 01798 875073 or 0780 1233582
 

Notes
The Campaign for National Parks (CNP) is the national charity that campaigns to protect and promote National Parks for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of all.

The South Downs Society is a charity set up to conserve and enhance the beauty and amenities of the South Downs for the benefit of the public. It was established in 1923 and successfully defeated proposals for unsuitable coastal development overlooking the famous Seven Sisters area.
The South Downs was designated a National Park in 2002 and, following a lengthy public inquiry, the Secretary of State has announced his intention to confirm that designation very shortly.

On 31 March, Secretary of State Hilary Benn announced the South Downs would become a National Park. The National Park will be the largest in England and Wales, stretching from Eastbourne in East Sussex to Winchester in Hampshire and covering over 600 square miles.  It will include the contested areas of the Western Weald, Lewes and Ditchling.  The South Downs contains some of the best examples of lowland heath in the world, and it will be the first National Park in the UK to include chalk downland. Both are internationally rare habitats. 

Six additional areas are being considered for inclusion in the National Park: Alice Holt, Plumpton, Patcham Recreation Ground, Rodean Crescent, Castle Goring and land east of Titnore Lane, and the verges and embankments on the northern side of the A27.   The Secretary of State is expected to announce his decision on the final boundary, and sign the National Park confirmation order, in the coming weeks. 

It is anticipated the National Park Authority will be established and members appointed to it from April 2010, followed by a year of preparatory work.  The National Park Authority is likely to become operational from 1 April 2011.

For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222