Latest Planning News

Public consultation launches on Waste and Minerals Local Plan

You can now comment on proposed changes to the East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Local Plan. The changes have been made following a review aimed at making sure planning policies for waste and minerals in the county remain up to date and in line with national policy. Waste and […]

Sustainable Construction SPD Consultation

The South Downs National Park Authority is preparing a Sustainable Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The SPD provides further guidance to support the implementation of the South Downs Local Plan policies, in particular Policy SD2: Ecosystem Services, Policy SD3 Major Development, Policy SD22: Parking Provision (where it relates to electric vehicle charging), Policy SD48 Climate […]

A Conservation Area for Nepcote? Public Consultation

There are currently 166 Conservation Areas within the South Downs National Park and we are now consulting on the possibility of a new one, which would be the first ever designated by the National Park Authority. The area under consideration is Nepcote, part of Findon parish, and this was at the request of the Findon […]

Ambitious vision for future is unveiled by South Downs National Park

Tackling climate change, helping nature flourish, supporting the rural economy, creating a National Park for all and providing a green health and wellbeing service are among the priorities of an ambitious five-year plan being launched today by the South Downs National Park Authority. Ten key outcomes have been outlined in the new Partnership Management Plan, […]

Uncovering the fascinating history of a downland church

Not all the best archaeology is beneath the ground. James Kenny, Archaeology Officer for Chichester District Council, highlights the case of the parish church at Upwaltham. Referred to as the ‘untouched and lovable’ church of St Mary the Virgin, Upwaltham, sits in a picturesque location overlooking the A285 between Chichester and Petworth. It’s one of […]

Laser technology shines a light on new ways to support landscape-led planning

David Hopkins, County Archaeologist for Hampshire County Council, writes about the importance of LiDAR in enhancing our knowledge of the South Downs Landscape. The National Planning Policy Framework seeks to protect and enhance, amongst other things, our historic environment. The planning system is reliant on the evidence collated in HERs – the Historic Environment Record […]