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National Parks (South Downs)

The Humble Petition of members and supporters of the South Downs Campaign, Sheweth that the area of land known as the Western Weald, including the towns of Petersfield, Liss, Midhurst and Petworth and the surrounding villages, has been designated by the Countryside Agency (now Natural England) as being worthy of inclusion on the South Downs National Park, on the grounds of their great natural beauty, cultural and historical richness and close links with the chalk downs; further sheweth that the people living in that area and those who admire and love it are strongly desirous of it being so included. Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House urges the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to confirm that the South Downs National Park shall include all of the said area and all such areas as have subsequently been considered worthy of inclusion. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c. —[Presented by Mr. Michael Mates , Official Report,17 March 2009; Vol. 489, c. 881.] [P000335] Observations from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Thank you for your Petition of 17 March on the subject of including the Western Weald in the proposed South Downs National Park. My parliamentary written statement of 31 March announced that my intention is to confirm the designation order for the South Downs National Park, and, as you will have seen from my decision letter released on the same day, I intend to include the Western Weald.