Work begins on developing next priorities for South Downs National Park

Work begins on developing next priorities for South Downs National Park

October 19, 2018

Conservation and heritage organisations, rural economy representatives, water companies, farming groups and volunteer networks are just some of the groups being challenged to help set out the priorities for the South Downs National Park for the next five years and the practical action they will take to help achieve them. The work is part of a five-year review of the Partnership Management Plan for the National Park.

The first South Downs National Park Partnership Management Plan was published by the National Park Authority in 2014 following extensive consultation. The plan sets out a shared vision for how the SDNPA and the partner organisations would like the National Park to be in the future and identified the key priorities for how they would work together over five years to achieve this. It’s now time to put together an action plan for the next five years.

Margaret Paren, Chair of the South Downs National Park Authority, said:

“The Partnership Management Plan is about conservation and enhancement not preservation. In setting priorities for the next five years we must do all we can to respond to both the opportunities and challenges that face this wonderful living, working landscape to keep it thriving.

“Everyone who cares for or benefits from the National Park has a role to play and we will be engaging with partners, communities and other stakeholders over the coming months to put together an exciting future for the National Park.”

The new Partnership Management Plan will launch in autumn 2019 alongside a campaign encouraging members of the public to get involved in caring for the National Park.