Leffman welcomes National Park decision

2.12.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 1st Apr 2009

Local Lib Dems have welcomed the Government's announcement that the South Downs has been designated as England's ninth National Park.

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs, announced yesterday (31st March) that the South Downs National Park will form a boundary very similar to that originally proposed by Natural England. That means the park will include the A3 corridor, the Rother Valley, the rest of the "western weald", Lewes and Ditchling.

The Government will also create a National Park Authority which will be fully operational from April 2011 although Hilary Benn has assured Winchester MP Mark Oaten via letter that he will encourage it to leave the handling of planning applications to the existing local authorities.

Mark, Meon Valley PPC Liz Leffman, and local councillors have broadly welcomed the plans as a positive step, although some questions still remain such as exactly what responsibilities will be diverted to the new authority and how this might impact upon local decision making.

Creating a South Downs national park will however work to preserve the beautiful countryside for the benefit of all and now that the decision has been made all parties can press ahead on future sustainable planning.

Commenting on the announcement Liz Leffman said:

"I welcome this decision and it's a chance to look forward now with some clarity. We have needed to make provisions to protect the countryside for some time now and I'm glad it's been done.

"I think everyone in the Meon Valley will be right behind this move - we all recognise how beautiful the countryside is and protecting it means that now, and in the future, people will be able to enjoy it.

"I think it's also important to keep as much of the decision making with local councils. They know better what is good for the local community and should be given the authority to represent local residents in all decisions, especially any that might affect our countryside.