Planning Policy at the South Downs National Park.
The South Downs National Park became the organisation with the statutory responsibility of writing Planning Policy for the National Park Area on the 1st of April 2011.
Planning Policy plays an important role in shaping the future of development within the National Park.
Planning policy can affect development in a number of ways:
- It can restrict certain types of development from being built in certain locations. (for example a planning policy could prevent new houses being built in an area with protected species, or an area liable to flooding)
- It can shape development in certain locations. (for example a planning policy could only allow certain numbers of a particular type of business within a town centre, in order to prevent less profitable uses being squeezed out leading to particular goods and services being unavailable)
- It can promote development in certain locations (for example by designating a plot of land within a settlement for business, or affordable housing designation, or any other use that is needed)
- It can provide funding for community facilities (for example a policy could specify that anyone wanting to build a house in an area has to contribute a certain amount to a new village hall, or playing pitch or whatever else is most needed)
It is therefore important that the planning policy approach that is decided upon best reflects the needs of the people who live in South Downs National Park and those who visit it, by shaping development in a manner that conserves and enhances the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area.
Planning Governance
Please visit our Governance section for details on our the Scheme of Delegation to Officers for the Planning Function and the Protocol for Members and Officers dealing with Planning Matters.
The Local development Framework
The mechanism through which the National Park Authority will create its planning policy is the Local Development framework.
To find out more about the Local Development Framework and to find out how you can contribute to its development, follow the link below.
Joint working with Local Authorities
The South Downs National Park is looking to carry out joint working with a number of Local authorities within the area in the preparation of planning policy documents.
