South Downs planners issues call for new development sites

A ‘call for sites’ has been launched as the park authority undertakes a review of its local plan.

Potential sites can be put forward for housing, economic developments, renewable energy, Gypsy and Traveller sites and biodiversity net gain.

The call comes as the national park is considering an application for the Boomtown Fair event to be granted permanent permission. At Cheesefoot Head it lies within the national park. Countryside campaigners and parish councils are opposing the proposal.

READ MORE HERE: Campaign against permanent permission for Boomtown Fair

Lucy Howard, planning policy manager for the national park authority, said: "We’re launching our Call for Sites as part of the Local Plan Review, which government requires us to do every five years.

"It’s important to say this is not just about housing. We’re asking people to put forward sites for a whole range of uses.

"Just because a site is put forward does not mean it will be allocated and, of course, the landscape will always come first in our appraisal.

"This Call for Sites is a key aspect of the Local Plan Review, which is a detailed planning process that is likely to take up to three years.

"It’s crucial we keep the Local Plan up-to-date otherwise the national park would be more vulnerable to speculative developments that haven’t been properly consulted on.

"This will be a review, rather than a brand new plan, and we will be keeping our award-winning landscape-led approach.

"We’re working very closely with parish and town councils across the National Park, as well as other key partners, to look for new development sites to meet local needs without adversely impacting on the landscape of the National Park."

The Countryside Charity, previously known as the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) is one of the longest-running environmental groups in the UK.

SEE ALSO: New plans revealed for development at Bushfield Camp near Winchester

Commenting on the call for sites, Paul Miner, head of policy and planning at CPRE said: "We would strongly support the call for nominations of local green space designation.

"Major development should only take place within the boundary of the park in exceptional circumstances.

"But, in addition, land immediately outside the boundary will often need to be protected in order to safeguard the setting of the landscape.

"The South Downs faces major challenges in terms of affordable housing and we would support small scale, well-designed community-led schemes to meet that need, provided they don’t compromise the key national park purposes of conservation or public enjoyment."