Court of Appeal could determine future for the South Downs

31 October 2006

Leading outdoor organisations have welcomed the hearing of a legal case - due at the Court of Appeal on 1 and 2 November - that is not only holding up the creation of a National Park in the South Downs but which has also had a detrimental impact on the size of the New Forest National Park, designated last year.

The Ramblers' Association (RA), Council for National Parks, and the Campaign to Protect Rural England are calling on the government to put a firm timetable in place for the creation of the South Downs National Park, once the appeal has concluded. 

The hearing, known as the 'Meyrick case', has implications for any boundary revisions to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks and also for any future designations.  In 2005 a decision by the High Court changed the interpretation of the criterion of 'natural beauty', which has been used to determine the boundaries of National Parks since the 1940s.   The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has brought the case to the Court of Appeal.  

There was overwhelming public support for the creation of a National Park in the South Downs and campaigners were delighted when in 1999 the government announced that the South Downs would be awarded National Park status as a 'gift to the nation'.  Seven years later, the nation is still waiting. 

The South Downs act as a green lung of the South East, and attract over 40 million visits yearly.  The natural beauty of the South Downs remains under immense pressure as house building and infrastructure development increases across the south-east of England.  The South East Plan, if approved, will place huge pressure on the area for new housing and roads.  A new National Park will help protect this beautiful area from being 'concreted over'. 

Ruth Chambers, Acting Chief Executive at the Council for National Parks, said: "The designation of the South Downs National Park is urgently needed and will bring strong protection and economic benefits to local communities and to the South East in general.  We welcome the Government's commitment to clarifying the legal issues surrounding designation of National Parks and hope that it shows similar resolve in getting the South Downs National Park designated as quickly as possible". 

Christine Elliott, Chief Executive, at the RA, said: "The threat of climate change means it is more important than ever to protect areas of the country that soak up carbon emissions and provide habitat for rare wildlife, as well opportunities for low-carbon impact recreation such as walking. The time for waiting is over - we call on the government to protect this vital area as soon as possible by creating the South Downs National Park."

Shaun Spiers, Chief Executive at CPRE said, "The South Downs include some of the most famous and most loved landscapes in England.  They represent an inspiring example of natural beauty brought about by harmony between people and the land.  As such, their designation as a National Park is overdue and will be immensely welcome."

For further information please call the RA's Press Office on 020 7339 8531/8532

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