An eight-week consultation begins this month as the National Park invites people to have their say on how and where development takes place.

The South Downs Local Plan is being reviewed to ensure it’s up-to-date and addresses important issues such as nature recovery, climate change, affordable housing and helping local communities thrive.

Public consultation starts on Monday, January 20 and will run until Monday, March 17.

Tim Slaney, director at the National Park Authority, said: “We need to ensure the Plan remains up-to-date and delivers on our priorities of nature recovery, climate action and a ‘National Park for All’.

“As part of the review, we will also be incorporating policies around the future of Shoreham Cement Works. This consultation is a really key opportunity for people to influence what happens next and we’re looking forward to hearing people’s comments.”

The Authority proposes to keep much of the existing Local Plan, including the emphasis on landscape-led, meaning the nationally-designated landscape is considered in every planning decision.

The Local Plan Review document contains:

  • An introductory chapter explaining the purpose of the review and what the consultation will cover.
  • Vision and objectives.
  • Fifty-five existing policies that have been updated, as well as 10 new, thematic policies. Changes include strengthening climate, nature and green infrastructure policies, greater protection for water resources, and more policies around viticulture and regenerative tourism.
  • Twenty-eight existing Local Plan site allocations that have not yet been implemented and will be carried over into the Local Plan Review, some with changes to wording or site areas.
  • Forty-eight new proposed site allocations across Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex.
  • Settlement maps showing existing Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plan allocations, alongside the proposed new ones.

Comments are now being taken from local communities, stakeholders and the development sector. The feedback will then help shape the next version of the Local Plan, which will be published in 2026 ahead of its submission for examination by an independent Inspector. Once the new Local Plan is adopted in 2027, it will be used to help decide all planning applications in the National Park.

The National Park will also be engaging with young people, farmers, parish councils, planning agents and infrastructure providers to make sure that the final Local Plan takes all perspectives and issues into account.

Responses to the consultation can be made via the website, emailing [email protected] or writing to the Planning Policy Team at South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9DH.

You can also find out more through drop-in events across the South Downs which include:

  • The South Downs Centre Memorial Hall, Midhurst, January 22, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
  • Petersfield Festival Hall, January 29, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
  • Liphook Church Hall, February 1, from 2pm to 5pm

A recorded virtual webinar will be made available online to explain the review and how people can get involved.

The web hub for the Local Plan Review can be accessed at: www.southdowns.gov.uk/local-plan-review.