South Downs National Park: Working in Partnership

The South Downs is a much loved and beautiful landscape.  It was designated as a National Park in 2010 based on seven special qualities defined by residents, visitors, landowners, farmers, businesses, school pupils and local councils.

The National Park Authority was set up to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area; and to promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities. It also seeks to foster the social and economic wellbeing of communities within the National Park. It works with everyone who has an interest in the South Downs to make sure the purposes are delivered. To do this it produces a statutory management plan every 5 years which they are now reviewing.

Your help is needed!

A review of the SDNP Management Plan starts with a first series of meetings in January and February. These will focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the current Plan, as well as drivers for change and the opportunities and threats that these bring.

If you can’t attend these meetings, please could you take the time to complete the survey and share with others that may be interested.  Follow the link below:

https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/national-park-authority/our-work/partnership-management/

A second series of meetings are planned for March. These will focus on determining priorities and pledging what they can all deliver over the next 5 years.

From that feedback, the National Park Authority will pull together a draft plan for 2026-2031 and consult on it from June until August. A final plan will be approved by the National Park Authority in December 2025.

Please take the time to get involved, either through attending the meetings or completing the survey to:

• share your views on what has changed over the last five years
• identify the opportunities and threats
• make sure your plans and strategies are included in the new management plan

The meeting schedules are as follows:

Phase 1: SWOT analysis & Drivers for Change

Phase 2: Priority outcomes and action planning

Everyone is welcome to attend events listed below.