Andrew Lee, Director of Strategy & Partnerships

Policy implications for the South Downs National Park

Nature of Change Conference

Britain’s newest National Park

• SDNPA went live on 1st April

• 27 members, c80 staff

• Third largest area, and 108,000 residents

• Eighth largest Planning Authority in UK

• Builds on Joint Committee but wider remit, fresh mandate and approach.

Agenda now a world away from 1985….

• Debate then just moving from species to sites to processes

• Vision for the Wildlife of Sussex: a trailblazer!

• Massive improvements in handling of data and evidence

• Landscape scale and ecosystem services now part of mainstream agenda, but…

• Huge challenge to implement in time of cuts and public sector reform

Policy landscape (and landscape policy…!)

• Some huge and welcome changes eg:National Ecosystem Assessment, Lawton ReviewGovt response in NEWP, Biodiversity Strategy

• Uncertainty in other areas eg:National Planning Policy FrameworkEU budget and Pillar II of the CAP

Other issues

• Localism Bill and Neighbourhood Planning

• Managing the stretch – avoid environmental movement being too far ahead of public opinion and politicians being too far behind

• Good that Ministers making links between biodiversity and wellbeing

?

Ecological Networks

Localism Bill

Neighbourhood Planning

National Environment White Paper

Biodiversity Strategy

National Planning Policy Framework

National Park – latecomer or opportunity?

• Agenda decades old, SDNPA new kid on block

• But designation of a National Park creates new opportunities to drive agenda eg)

• At least 45 Biodiversity Opportunity Areas in NP

Purpose 1

To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and

cultural heritage of the area.

Duty

To seek to foster the social and economic well-being of

local communities

Purpose 2

To promote opportunities

for the understanding and enjoyment of the

Special qualities of the Park by

the public.

Restoring ecological networks can support both NP Purposes and

Duty

Fit for Purpose

Making a difference

SDNPA brings to the table:

• Public mandate• Convening power• Some new money

• People on the ground• Planning powers

BUT – a much larger opportunity exists

National Park Management Plan(shared)

Use of Assets / Delivery of Services

Ecological Networks

Public/Private investment flows within or impacting

upon the National Park: (£100s millions?)

Purposes& Duty

Dialogue is essential

Powerful synergies exist between ecological restoration and wellbeing, these increase with scale

SDNPA engagement processes are involving many 100s of people right now - so vital this agenda features strongly in debate

State of the National Park Report

LDF Core Strategy

National Park Management Plan

Ongoing Engagement

Developing Evidence Base

Embedding this Approach in SDNP by 2014

Designation of a National Park

• 31 March 2010

• 10th to be designated in England

Thank you, and please continue the Conference debate on the South Downs online Forum at: www.southdowns.gov.uk/forum

andrew.lee@southdowns.gov.uk Director of Strategy & Partnerships

07795 287 538 or 01730 811774

South Downs National Park Authority, Hatton House, Bepton Road, Midhurst, West Sussex,

GU29 9LU