South Downs National Park

South Downs National Park Public Inquiry

by Margaret Paren, CPRE Hampshire South Downs Representative

The South Downs National Park Public Inquiry commenced in October 2003 and finally ended on 23 March 2005. The final evidence session was held in December 2004, but the Inspector kept open the Inquiry so that some final outstanding papers could be submitted and he could pay his remaining site visits in other than the depths of winter.

Unlike the New Forest National Park Inquiry, the overwhelming majority of hearings on the boundary were for further areas to be added to the National Park rather than for deletions from it. This reflected the pattern of objections received by DEFRA to the designation order.

All who have submitted evidence to the Inquiry have been impressed by the Inspectors patience, insight and good humour and have emerged from the experience feeling that they have been given the opportunity to make their case as fully as they would wish.

The Inspector anticipates completing his report by Christmas this year. It will then be up to the Secretary of State to decide to confirm the designation order or not and to determine the final boundary of the National Park.

May 2005

horizontal line