Hundreds have their say on South Downs Local Plan Review
February 11, 2025
Around 200 comments have so far been submitted to the National Park’s Local Plan Review and well over 500 people have attended consultation events.
An eight-week consultation is under way, inviting people to have their say on how and where development takes place.
The award-winning South Downs Local Plan is being reviewed to ensure it’s up-to-date and addresses important issues such as nature recovery, climate change, affordable housing and helping local communities thrive.
The public consultation of the Local Plan Review will run until 17 March. This is the main opportunity for people to help shape the final Plan, so the National Park is encouraging the public to get involved.
The remaining public consultation events are:
Wednesday, 12 February 3.30pm to 7.30pm – Petworth public exhibition, Leconfield Hall, Market Square, Petworth GU28 0AH
Saturday, 15 February 1.30pm to 4pm – Lewes public exhibition, Cliff Hall, 28 Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AH
Monday, 24 February 4pm to 6.30pm – Midhurst public exhibition at the South Downs Centre, North Street, GU29 9DH.
The National Park Authority proposes to keep much of the existing Local Plan, including the emphasis on landscape-led, which means that the nationally-designated landscape is considered in every planning decision. The Local Plan will continue to prioritise the provision of clean air, water, dark skies and food and a medium level of growth spread across the towns and villages of the UK’s youngest National Park.
Tim Slaney, Director of Planning at the National Park Authority, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to get involved in the consultation so far.
“There’s still lots of time to have your say, so please do come along to one of our events or head to the online consultation platform.”
The web hub for the Local Plan Review can be accessed here: www.southdowns.gov.uk/local-plan-review