South Downs National Park Area - First Public Consultation Document Planning

Public Notice
South Downs National Park Authority
Local Plan Review
First Public Consultation Document
(Regulation 18)
PUBLIC NOTICE
SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY
TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT (LOCAL PLANNING) (ENGLAND)
REGULATIONS 2012
REGULATION 18 CONSULTATION NOTICE
PREPARATION OF A LOCAL PLAN CONSULTATION

The National Park Authority (“NPA”) for the South Downs National Park has drafted a revised Local Plan for consultation. This will shape development in the National Park up to 2042.
The NPA considers that a revised Local Plan is necessary to ensure it is up to date and in compliance with national planning policy and guidance. The NPA proposes to keep much of the existing Local Plan, including the emphasis on landscape-led, which means that the nationally-designated landscape is considered in every planning decision.
Local plans play an important part of the planning system and are the main consideration in deciding planning applications. They set the framework in which decisions on proposals are taken locally subject to any other strong planning reasons or material considerations.
Pursuant to Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning Act (Local Planning) England Regulations 2018 the NPA is required to consult the following bodies and/or individuals as listed below to make representations to the National Park Authority about what the revised Local Plan ought to contain:
a. such of the specific consultations bodies as the NPA consider may have an interest in the subject of the proposed revised Local Plan;
b. such of the general consultation bodies as the NPA consider appropriate; and
c. such residents or other persons carrying on business in the NPA’s area from which the NPA consider it appropriate to invite representations Consultation Period
The consultation will run from 20 January to 17 March 2025 (“Consultation Period”) and the NPA invites and encourages all consultees to make representations about what the draft revised Local Plan should contain at the earliest opportunity and in any event no later than by the end of the Consultation Period.
Inspection of documents:
Copies of the draft revised Local Plan together with relevant background and supporting documents are available for inspection:
• on South Downs National Park website, www.southdowns.gov.uk/local-plan-review
• at the following libraries (during normal opening hours):
● Lewes: Styles Field, Friars Walk, Lewes, BN7 2LZ
● Midhurst: The Grange, Bepton Road, Midhurst, GU29 9HD
● Petworth: High Street, Petworth, GU28 0AU
● Findon Valley: Lime Tree Avenue, Worthing, BN14 0DH
● Hassocks: 9 Ewart Close, Hassocks, BN6 8FJ
● Lancing: Penstone Park, Lancing, BN15 9DL
● Seaford: 15-17 Sutton Park Road, Seaford, BN25 1QX
At South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9DH and at Seven Sisters Country Park Visitor Centre, Exceat, near Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 4AD. Email us at planningpolicy@southdowns.gov.uk to make an appointment.
Representations:
Formal written representations on the draft revised Local Plan are invited to be made during the Consultation Period and can be made in the following ways:
● Online: Using the consultation platform to view and give feedback on the draft revised Local Plan at https://sdnpalocalplanreview.commonplace.is/
● Email: planningpolicy@southdowns.gov.uk
● In writing: Planning Policy Team, South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9DH
A paper copy of the draft revised Local Plan can be requested by email to planningpolicy@southdowns.gov.uk. The document will be issued following the payment of a charge to cover administrative and production costs.
All of the above information can be found on the South Downs National Park website using the link below.
http://www.southdowns.gov.uk/local-plan-review
Tim Slaney, Director at the National Park Authority