Issue - items at meetings - Omission of Green Ridge from the intended South Downs National Park

Report of the Director of Environment (copy attached).

(1)   That the Cabinet Member for Environment:

(a)       Agrees that strong representations should be made to the Secretary of State to raise concerns that he has not clearly set out the reasons for excluding Green ridge;

(b)       Requests that he set out his reasoning for proposing to exclude part of the Green Ridge SNCI which meets the boundary setting criteria for the South Downs National Park together with the western part of the road embankments along Mill Road from the intended South Downs National Park;

(c)       Request that the Secretary of State redraws the boundary of the South Downs National Park further west along the junction between Green Ridge and the Devil’s Dyke Road, therby including the land at Green Ridge in the proposed South Downs National Park.

150.1              The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Environment seeking approval for requesting that the Secretary of State reconsiders the proposed boundary of the South Downs National Park at Green Ridge and amends the boundary to include land at Green Ridge. (for copy see minute book).

150.2              The Cabinet Member explained that he had brought the report to the meeting as an urgent item because a number of residents and amenity groups had contacted him with concerns about the omission of Green Ridge from the Intended South Downs National Park.

150.3              Opposition councillors supported the proposal and commended the quick response.

150.4              Councillor Mrs Norman, ward councillor for one of the affected wards, echoed the support and highlighted the ongoing work by residents to protect the area; she hoped that the omission had been unintentional.

150.5              RESOLVED - That having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report the following recommendation be accepted:

(1)       That the Cabinet Member for Environment:

(a)       Agrees that strong representations should be made to the Secretary of State to raise concerns that he has not clearly set out the reasons for excluding Green ridge;

(b)       Requests that he set out his reasoning for proposing to exclude part of the Green Ridge SNCI which meets the boundary setting criteria for the South Downs National Park together with the western part of the road embankments along Mill Road from the intended South Downs National Park;

(c)       Request that the Secretary of State redraws the boundary of the South Downs National Park further west along the junction between Green Ridge and the Devil’s Dyke Road, therby including the land at Green Ridge in the proposed South Downs National Park.