South Downs Society Welcomes Planning Victory
Local amenity group the South Downs Society has today (28th August 2007) welcomed the decision of East Hampshire District Council to reject plans for a factory and enterprise units at The Causeway, Petersfield.
District Planners turned down the proposal because it contravened planning policies at national, county and local level. In particular the Society is delighted that a prime reason for the rejection was the unacceptable impact on the East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the proposed South Downs National Park.
Said Society Director Jacquetta Fewster, “ We and other amenity groups have been campaigning against this development and are delighted that the Council has been strong in protecting the beautiful Downs landscape. When the National Park is set up it is essential that its powers extend across the whole of the area identified for the Park by the government’s own countryside advisors. There is a real threat that the plans for the Park could be watered down. Petersfield and the whole of the western Weald in Hampshire and West Sussex must be included in the Park for maximum protection.
If people care about the Downs they should contact their MP, respond to the current government consultation on the Park boundary and sign the on-line petition”.
Note
* The current consultation by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) runs until 24 September. Defra’s website gives full details at www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/issues/landscap/natparks/sdowns/index.htm.
Comments by 24 September to :
Defra
Sponsorship, Landscape and Recreation
(National Parks)
Zone 1/03 Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
BRISTOL BS1 6EB
Or by fax to : 0117 372 8250
Or by email to : natparksouthdowns@defra.gsi.gov.uk
* The online petition to reinstate the western Weald into the National Park is at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/western-weald