Our Role

The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) is responsible for minerals and waste planning in the South Downs National Park (SDNP).

The Authority is, therefore, both the “Minerals Planning Authority” and the “Waste Planning Authority” for the National Park.

This means we are responsible for:

Producing minerals and waste plans which form part of the Development Plan;
Determining all minerals and waste planning applications; and
Monitoring and enforcement relating to ongoing minerals and waste developments.

Planning Policy

The SDNPA works in partnership with its host county and unitary authorities on minerals and waste planning policy matters, and so has adopted a number of joint minerals and/or waste local plans.

The SDNPA has also produced a guide for district, town, and parish councils in relation to Understanding Minerals and Waste Planning. (N.B Plans mentioned may have been superseded).

For more information, please visit our webpage on Minerals & Waste Plans.

Development Management

Minerals and waste development has the potential to impact on the special qualities of the National Park – i.e., its landscapes and local distinctiveness.

Major development proposals are likely to be refused unless there are exceptional circumstances which demonstrate that the development is in the public interest, as per National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).

Please see further information below in relation to making a minerals or waste planning application, and searching for existing or current minerals or waste planning applications:

Monitoring and Enforcement

The SDNPA monitors existing minerals and waste sites to make sure that they comply with the conditions set out in their planning permissions.

As such, the SDNPA is also responsible for the enforcement of any breaches of planning control. For further information, please see: