South Downs National Park
Corporate Plan
2020–2025
YEAR 1 ACTION PLAN 2020–21
Cover photo © Finn Hopson
South Downs National Park Authority
South Downs Centre
North Street
Midhurst
West Sussex GU29 9DH
www.southdowns.gov.uk
info@southdowns.gov.uk
southdowns.gov.uk/discovery-map
Contents
INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 2
THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY ....................................................................3
BIODIVERSITY ............................................................................................ 4
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING .................................................................... 5
ECONOMY, HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE ............................. 6
SEVEN SISTERS COUNTRY PARK ......................................................... 7
THE CONTEXT WITHIN WHICH WE WORK ..................................... 8
OUR PURPOSES AND DUTY ................................................................... 9
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ..........................................................................10
1. ENHANCE .............................................................................................10
OUTCOME 1: LANDSCAPE & NATURAL BEAUTY .......................11
OUTCOME 2: INCREASING RESILIENCE ...................................... 12
OUTCOME 3: HABITATS & SPECIES ...............................................13
OUTCOME 4: ARTS & HERITAGE ...................................................14
2. CONNECT .............................................................................................15
OUTCOME 5: OUTSTANDING EXPERIENCES ............................16
OUTCOME 6: LIFELONG LEARNING .............................................17
OUTCOME 7: HEALTH & WELLBEING ...........................................17
OUTCOME 8: CREATING CUSTODIANS ......................................18
3. THRIVE ...................................................................................................19
OUTCOME 9: GREAT PLACES TO LIVE ........................................20
OUTCOME 10: GREAT PLACES TO WORK ...................................21
ORGANISATIONAL PRIORITIES..........................................................22
FIVE YEAR MEASURES ...........................................................................24
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Contents.
Introduction
The South Downs National Park covers over
1,600km
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of England’s most valued lowland
landscapes shaped, over millennia, by the people who
have lived and worked here.
Its inspirational and varied landscapes, internationally important wildlife,
rich cultural heritage, and vibrant market towns and villages hold a
special place in the hearts of many millions. If we want it to remain a
special place in 2050, we need to make sure that its landscapes can
provide more benefits to more people, who can enjoy, understand and
take action to support it.
The new Partnership Management Plan (PMP) 2020-2025, and the Local
Plan adopted in July 2019, set a clear guiding framework for the actions
we as an Authority will take for the next five years, and this Corporate
Plan sets these out in more detail. Whether you live in or near the South
Downs National Park, are a business, one of our partners, a visitor, or
simply someone who cares about its future, we hope you find this plan
evidence of our commitment.
The Authority has identified five overarching priorities for the next five
years.
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Introduction.
© SDNPA
The Climate Emergency.
The Climate
Emergency
Climate change is having a fundamental effect
on biodiversity, agriculture and water resources.
The National Park is already experiencing more
unpredictable weather events causing drought, soil
erosion and flooding. This is changing the landscapes as
habitats come under pressure and agricultural systems
and infrastructure struggle to adapt.
Working with our partners, the South Downs National Park Authority
(the Authority) will develop a Climate Change Action Plan for a net-zero
National Park and Authority. As part of this we will:
Use our planning policy and development management service , working
together with all local planning authorities across the National Park
Encourage communities to make changes to how we travel and live, for
example by using renewable energy and decarbonising transport
Work with farmers, estates and other landowners to change the way
land is managed to reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration.
We will act as an exemplar by demonstrating best practice in our corporate
response to climate change. We want to be recognised as a leading player
in managing the impacts of climate change on the South Downs National
Park and contributing to a low carbon economy.
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