SDNPA statement on Kithurst Hill Car Park
November 8, 2022
The National Park covers 1600km2 that includes many car parks run by public and private bodies.
The SDNPA is not the Highways Authority or the Rights of Way Authority, nor does it own, run or support any car parks within the National Park other than those on our own land (at Midhurst and Seven Sisters Country Park).
We understand this is a difficult and emotive issue, as many people value these smaller car parks for access to the top of the downs for those who are less mobile.
The private landowner of Kithurst car park has until now been supported by West Sussex County Council, but it has taken the decision that it can no longer continue due to the acute financial pressures upon it and the need for it to protect vital front line services.
When it was first apparent that WSCC might have to pull out, the SDNPA was approached, but we were very clear that we could not take on legal and financial responsibility for this car park.
We also face financial pressures, having had our budget fixed in cash terms for the last three years and the next two.
This has meant real terms cuts and we have had to make some staff redundant.
Since the owner was keen to find a positive resolution, the South Downs National Park Trust (an independent charity) agreed in February 2020 to look at the feasibility of taking it on.
But in the new post-Covid financial environment, this is simply not a viable solution given the absence of any parking fees to offset the ongoing costs of maintenance, regular inspections to avoid problems with anti-social behaviour etc.
The Trust reluctantly decided in March 2022 that it could not take on these long-term financial liabilities without putting the delivery of its core charitable objectives at risk.
We will continue to work with West Sussex County Council as one of our key partners, but unfortunately do not have the remit or the resources, given funding cuts, to run loss-making car parks.
A solution might lie in some sort of partnership between local communities and the landowner.