Presentation to Associations of Parish Councils

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Presentation to Associationsof Parish Councils

• The South Downs National Park
• July August 2009
• Richard Shaw
• Interim Chief Executive
• South Downs National Park Establishment Team

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Issues to Cover

• 1. Designation
• 2. What does a National Park Authority do?
• 3. The Boundary
• 4. Establishment of the National Park Authority
• 5. Membership Consultation
• 6. Parish Council Appointments

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History of National Parks

• 1930s Campaign for National Parks formed
• 1947 Hobhouse report identifies 12 areas for
  designation as National Park (incl. South Downs)
• 1949 Enabling legislation in National Parks
  Access to the Countryside Act
• 1951-1957 Creation of 7 National Parks in
  England and 3 in Wales
• 1988 Broads designation
• 1999 Government proposes 2 new National Parks in
  New Forest and South Downs
• 2005 New Forest National Park created
• 2009 Creation of South Downs National Park
  announced

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Designation

• Designation as a National Park is formal
  recognition of an areas special qualities of
  natural beauty and opportunities for open-air
  recreation. It means
• National Parks ( AONBs) have the highest level
  of protection under the planning system
• There is a fixed boundary
• Public bodies must have regard to the National
  Park purposes
• A National Park Authority can be established

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South Downs Designation Timetable

• 1999 Government proposes two new National Parks
• 2000-2002 Area of search, consultation,
  designation order
• 2003-2005 Pubic inquiry
• 2006-2007 Legal challenge in New Forest
• 2008 Reconvened inquiry on South Downs
• March 2009 Quasi-judicial decision to create
  South Downs National Park
• 13 July 2009 Consultation on 6 additional area
  ends
• August 2009 Possible public hearing on new areas
• Autumn 2009 Final determination of Park
  boundaries and confirmation of designation order

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KEY 1 Alice Holt Forest 2 Plumpton / East
Chiltington 3 Roedean 4 Patcham 5 Castle
Goring 6 A27 embankments
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National Park Authorities

• Two Statutory Purposes
• To conserve and enhance the natural beauty,
  wildlife and cultural heritage of the area
• To promote opportunities for the understanding
  and enjoyment of the parks special qualities by
  the public
• Duties
• To seek to foster the economic and social
  well-being of the communities within the National
  Park
• To give greater weight to conservation (1st
  purpose) where there is a conflict with
  recreation (2nd purpose)

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National Park Authorities

• A Statutory Role
• To be the local planning authority
• Discretionary Roles
• To use advice, encouragement and persuasion in
  support of the two statutory purposes

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South Downs National Park Authority

• What it means
• A permanent body to take a long term view of the
  National Park in perpetuity
• Dedicated to promoting conservation, public
  understanding and enjoyment, as well as economic
  and social well-being
• Centrally funded
• A consistent planning framework for the Park
• What it does NOT mean
• No development
• Unfettered right to roam
• A country park
• A nationalised park

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The South Downs National Park Authority

• July 2009 12 week consultation on the size of
  Membership 29-37
• July - Sept 2009 Appointment of Establishment
  Team
• Winter 2009 Nominations for Membership
• Winter Statutory Instrument laid
• February 2010 Members appointed
• April 2010 Shadow Authority created
• April 2011 National Park Authority assumes full
  powers

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Membership

• July October 12 week consultation on a
  membership of 29 37
• 29 members would mean
• 15 local authority members
• 6 parish council members
• 8 members appointed through open recruitment
• 37 Members would mean
• 19 local authority members
• 8 parish council members
• 10 members appointed through open recruitment

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Parish Council Membership

• How will Parish Council Associations arrange the
  process to decide on names to put forward to the
  Secretary of State?
• What criteria should be used to assess
  candidates?
• How can you ensure a reasonable geographical
  distribution of membership?

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For further information

• www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/
  protected-areas/national-parks/south-downs