Latest Planning News

New community running track is ready, set, go!

Hundreds of schoolchildren and runners of all ages will benefit from a new community running track, thanks to £71,000 of Section 106 funding. Herne Junior School in Petersfield is building an all-weather one-mile running track that will be used by its 470 pupils, other schoolchildren and the wider community. Despite having an ample-sized field, the […]

Planning Authority helps nature recovery as heathland site gets conservation boost

The future of one of England’s most important and wildlife-rich heathlands is looking brighter than ever after a major fundraising initiative that was boosted by the National Park’s planning teams. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (AC) successfully reached its target of raising £200,000, allowing the charity to buy 20 hectares of heathland at Blackmoor, near Bordon, […]

Promoting the benefits of sustainable drainage in strategic planning

Earlier this year a major five-year £500,000 project was launched to help safeguard the chalk aquifer of the South Downs that supplies water to 1.2m people and is under increasing threat from climate change. The Aquifer Partnership (TAP) will work to protect groundwater in the Brighton Chalk Block from pollution, as well as increase resilience […]

Enforcement continues to provide vital service for South Downs National Park

Planning enforcement is a key service provided by the National Park Authority and teams have been busy throughout the lockdown period ensuring that approved plans and conditions are followed. Site visits resumed in May with social distancing in place after a short, temporary pause. Heather Lealan, Development Management Lead who oversees the enforcement function of […]

Spotlight on heritage

Conservation Officer Michael Scammell takes an in-depth look at one fascinating feature of the National Park’s built heritage. It is well known that the National Trust is one of the largest landowners in Britain, but less widely appreciated that around one fifth of that land, over 50,000 hectares, was given over the years as a […]

Updates on planning policy at South Downs National Park

The South Downs National Park’s first Local Plan was adopted last year and since then the National Park Authority has been working on a number of Supplementary Documents (SPD) and Technical Advice Notes (TAN). These documents will provide further guidance to support the implementation of certain Local Plan policies. Lucy Howard, Planning Policy Manager, gives […]