Consultation begins on plans for national park

The consultation on a five-year plan for South Downs National Park runs until 1 August

People are being invited to have their say on priorities and targets for the South Downs National Park.

The consultation, which got under way on Monday, is to help establish what the park does over the next five years.

Proposed plans include increasing tree cover, cleaning up rivers, new pathways and building hundreds of affordable homes.

Siôn McGeever, chief executive of the South Downs National Park Authority, said the plan was "innovative and forward-thinking".

He said: "We're not shying away from aiming high in our shared vision for this amazing place.

"Ultimately, we want to make the South Downs an even better place with bigger and better wildlife habitats, more accessibility, more affordable homes and cleaner waterways."

The draft plan sets out seven collective priorities between 2026 and 2031 – nature recovery, climate action, clean water, young people, welcome and access, arts and heritage, and a thriving, greener place.

The national park has 113,000 residents, with millions of people living around it, according to the authority.

Mr McGeever said it needed to play a "pivotal role in dealing with all the challenges and opportunities we now face".

The final plan will be delivered in partnership with organisations including farmers, landowners and local authorities.

The consultation runs until 1 August.