Decision - South Downs National Park - Land at Green Ridge

(1)       That the Cabinet Member for Environment:

(a)       Welcomes the Government’s recent decision that there should be a South Downs National Park.

(b)       Supports the addition of land at Roedean Crescent and Patcham Recreation ground. 

(c)       Formally objects on behalf of the council to the Addition 6 embankments on the basis that land at Green Ridge and the adjacent Mill Road/A27 embankments should all be included in addition 6 if discussions with DEFRA fail to result in acceptance of the inclusion of Green Ridge within the National Park Designation.

The need to agree to submit a formal objection to the exclusion of land at Green Ridge before the deadline of 13 July 2009, if that is the wish of the Council.

1.     Seeking a resolution that does not involve a legal challenge or accepting the Secretary of State’s proposed boundary would be less costly and could increase the chances of an earlier designation of the National park Boundary.

2.     Mounting a legal challenge is a costly option which should be pursued only as a last resort and considered after formal designation of the boundary should formal objections or discussions with DEFRA not be successful.