Evidence

The Partnership Management Plan review process and the development of priority programmes and projects is based on a wide range of underpinning evidence. Evidence is defined as: “Any verified facts or information collected to inform an organisational position, policy or strategy”.

This starts with the drivers for change and includes National Policy and Strategy but also more local information. The following table is a summary of the strategic areas and highlights any areas where there is a need for further evidence. Where any additional gaps are identified these will be addressed through SDNPA led research in the early stages of the next 5 year period of the Plan.

Strategic Area	Evidence
Cycling and walking	Open space and recreation study, Transport assessments, cycling and walking experience surveys, Local Transport Plans, Department for Transport Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy 2017, SDNPA Visitor Survey 2015, Public Health England Everyone Active, Every Day 2014.
Landscape and Biodiversity	Based on the principals of Natural Capital and ecosystem services. Evidence includes habitat connectivity mapping and landscape character assessment but also more local studies such as chalk stream condition surveys.
Learning and outreach	School survey of SDNP, national evidence on learning outside the classroom, MENE data and South Downs specific outreach evidence.
Volunteer development	Detailed surveys of volunteers and volunteer organisations profiling the range of volunteers and roles and local demographic data with National comparisons.
Sustainable tourism	Tourism SE impact study, Visitor surveys and accommodation review including Air B&B survey. Joint National Park visitor work, Team Segmentation work, Discover England project research, DMO/LGA tourism and economy reports. Potential research area to include impact studies of tourism around the NP, listing hotspots, issues and impacts.
Rural economy	National strategies such as industry and green growth. Land use studies and SDNP Economic profile 2018. Additional future evidence to look at decline in rural services.
Cultural heritage	National studies, information on buildings and sites at risk. Considerable evidence on heritage.
Health and wellbeing	Considerable National evidence of the benefits of the environment for health, Assessment of access to natural greenspace (ANGST) and GI Framework.