Friends of the South Downs

The Friends of the South Downs are a membership charity, based in Pulborough in West Sussex, working in partnership with the South Downs National Park Authority to campaign, protect and conserve the landscape of the Park, so that it can be enjoyed by everyone, for future generations. Amongst other things the Society is active in planning and planning policy matters. We comment on planning applications, respond to new planning issues and aim to promote the best planning results for the South Downs National Park. The Society were keen campaigners for the creation of the South Downs National Park which came into being in 2012. The new National Park designation provides the highest planning protection in the planning system. However, having this high level of protection doesn't mean to say our countryside is safe. We are in the crowded Southeast of England and there is constant pressure on the South Downs for new land developments. For decades the Society has tried to ensure that this 100 mile stretch of iconic and naturally beautiful landscape covering an area of over 400,000 acres (1.6K hectares) is conserved and enhanced, whilst protecting wildlife and cultural heritage. How do we go about ensuring the Park will survive for future generations to enjoy it? Any new development must have planning permission and we monitor new planning applications. Some may not be in accordance with the National Park purposes, so we send representations the Park Authority following the principles which were used to set up England’s National Parks. We do this through a team of volunteers who keep a check on applications in their local area and raise any problems or issues with the Society's Policy.