The National Park’s commitment to design excellence has again been recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). Our Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document was shortlisted in the National Awards following its triumph at the RTPI South East awards in the summer. Competition for the award was fierce with 10 other plans in the shortlist. […]

The National Park’s enforcement team has been busy over the past six months with a number of enforcement notices served on those breaching planning regulations. Here are two cases to highlight, writes Robert Campbell, Senior Planning Enforcement Officer. The Boneyard, Drove Road, Brighton A planning enforcement notice was served back in May 2023 concerning the […]

A disused dairy barn and hay store will be converted into new rural workers’ accommodation as part of a farm diversification scheme. Old Farm in Houghton is an agricultural business spread across 90 acres of privately-owned land and has recently joined the Agri-Environment Scheme to help make the site a source of food and a […]

A major development that will bring much-needed affordable homes is a step closer to coming to fruition. Three years ago the National Park Authority granted outline planning permission for 226 homes – with half of them being affordable – at Old Malling Farm, Lewes. Now the specific design, scale, layout and appearance of the development […]

Let’s catch up with James Brazil, Planning Policy Assistant at the South Downs National Park Authority. Three words that sum up your job in planning? Engaging, Ever-changing, Impactful Okay, so what’s your role at the National Park?   I am a Planning Assistant at the National Park and apprentice at Oxford Brookes University, working towards […]