SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK DESIGNATION TO BE CONFIRMED, INCLUDING THE WESTERN WEALD

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has decided to confirm the designation of the South Downs National Park, broadly in the form sought by Natural England.  The national park will include areas such as the Western Weald, the A3 corridor, the Rother Valley, Lewes and Ditchling which were in the original designation but which the inspector had originally recommended be excluded from the park.

The inspector was persuaded to change his recommendation after the inquiry was re-opened to consider the effects on the proposed designation of the Meyrick v SSEFRA [2007] EWCA Civ 53 case and the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.  The Secretary of State agreed with the inspector's revised recommendations set out in his second report.

Richard Honey was instructed as junior counsel for Natural England in the re-opened inquiry, the promoters of the National Park. This follows Richard's work advising Natural England on the Meyrick case, the drafting of what became the 2006 Act, and proposed new designations in the North West of England.  Richard  also successfully represented the Countryside Agency - Natural England's predecessor - at the Whinash wind farm inquiry.