Efforts to protect the heritage and character of a downland village have been strengthened by the adoption of a new conservation plan. Following an eight-week public consultation, the Kingston Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan was adopted by the Authority’s Planning Committee. Kingston-near-Lewes is an attractive village about two miles south of Lewes in the […]

Excellent design, architecture and craftmanship were the winners at the 2021 Sussex Heritage Trust Awards. Thirty award-winning projects were announced at the 2021 Sussex Heritage Trust Awards, held at  Pangdean Old Barn, Pyecombe, near Brighton. The Awards saw the inaugural announcement of the South Downs Design Award, which was sponsored by the South Downs National […]

Key digital infrastructure will be improved in the National Park while minimising impact on the landscape. Planning officers at the Authority have worked extensively with BT/EE to help upgrade internet coverage on the busy South Western Trains line between London and Portsmouth and Southampton as part of a wider government-supported project. Gaps in coverage meant […]

A Government planning inspector has upheld the Authority’s decision to refuse the conversion of a ruined 240-year-old tower into a private home. Plans were submitted to the Authority for listed building consent to convert and alter Racton Monument, at Stoughton, near Chichester. The applicant proposed creating a private home with integral garaging, as well as […]

Enforcement is a key role of the National Park Authority, helping to conserve and enhance both the natural and built environment. But how does it all work? We caught up with Heather Lealan, who is at the helm of the enforcement team. Hi Heather. So what’s planning enforcement? Simply put our role is to conserve […]

New homes and community facilities, provision of visitor accommodation and a continued increase in Red Kite numbers are among the headlines in the latest report presenting the work of the Authority. The 2021 Authority Monitoring Report (AMR) has been published – our seventh AMR and the second to be produced since the adoption of the […]