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Local Green Space (LGS) Assessment

The South Downs Local Green Space (LGS) Assessment was published in January 2026 and has been used to inform the Proposed Submission South Downs Local Plan which will be subject to Regulation 19 public consultation between 12 May and 23 June 2026.  Any new nominations – or new information about previously nominated green areas or existing LGS designations – submitted after 31 October 2025 will not be assessed and considered further until after the above public consultation has been completed.

A Local Green Space (LGS) is a designation used to provide special protection for green areas which are demonstrably special, and of particular importance, to local communities.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) first introduced the concept of LGS designation back in 2012.  As set out in NPPF (2024) Paragraphs 106 to 108 – and relevant sections of the Planning Practice Guidance – an LGS designation should only be used where a nominated green area is:

  • In reasonably close proximity to the community it services; and
  • Local in character and is not an extensive tract of land; and
  • Demonstrably special to a local community and holds a particular local significance, for example because of its: beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a playing field), tranquillity, or richness of its wildlife.

The Authority has prepared three LGS Assessments to date.

The 2017 LGS Assessment was prepared to inform the South Downs Local Plan which was adopted on 02 July 2019.

A “Call for Local Green Spaces” was carried out between 10 August and 28 September 2022 to provide communities with an opportunity to nominate new green areas for consideration as local green spaces in the New South Downs Local Plan.

The 2024 LGS Assessment assessed and considered received nominations and provided “provisional findings” to inform the Regulation 18 version of the New South Downs Local Plan which was subject to public consultation between 20 January and 17 March 2025. During this public consultation, further nominations were received, along with comments and representations about the “provisional findings”.

The 2026 LGS Assessment has assessed and considered all nominations and information received between 10 August 2022 and 31 October 2025. This includes the comments and representations received during the public consultation in early 2025. The 2026 LGS Assessment is the most up-to-date evaluation of nominated green areas and its recommendations have been used to inform the Regulation 19 publication consultation between 12 May and 23 June 2026. 

How do I nominate a green area for consideration as an LGS?

If you wish to nominate a green area for consideration as an LGS in the New South Downs Local Plan, then please complete the nomination form below.  You will need to complete a separate form (and provide an accompanying map at a suitable scale) for each green area that you wish to nominate.

You can return your completed nomination form and map to the Authority via: