The South Downs National Park Authority is now midway through the consultation on the South Downs Local Plan (Proposed Submission).
This is the final stage of consultation, closing on Tuesday 23 June 2026 (23:59), before the Plan is submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination. At this stage, the Planning Inspector will focus on whether the Plan is:
Legally compliant, and Sound (positively prepared, justified, effective, and consistent with national policy).
We encourage anyone wishing to comment to do so before the deadline.
Consultation details:
Consultation period: 12 May to 23 June 2026 (closing at 23:59)
Documents available:
The South Downs Local Plan – Proposed Submission (Regulation 19) May 2026
The Policies Map
Supporting evidence (including Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment) and background documents
View all the consultation documents on our website
Hard copies are available at:
South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9DH, see the website for opening hours
Seven Sisters Country Park Visitor Centre, Exceat, East Sussex, BN25 4AD, see the website for opening hours
They can also be viewed at the following libraries during normal opening hours:
Bishops Waltham Library, Free Street, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, SO32 1EE
Findon Valley Library, Lime Tree Avenue, Findon Valley, Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 0DH
Hassocks Library, 9 Ewart Close, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8FJ
Lancing Library, Penstone Park, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 9DL
Lewes Library, Styles Field, Friars Walk, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2LZ
Liphook Library, London Road, Liphook, Hampshire, GU30 7AN
Midhurst Library, The Grange, Bepton Road, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9HD
Petersfield Library, 27 The Square, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3HH
Petworth Library, High Street, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0AU
Steyning Library, Church Street, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3YB
Have your say on the consultation portal
Submitting your comments online is the quickest and most efficient way to ensure they are received and helps us to process all comments promptly and effectively.
If you are unable to comment online, you can submit a Representation Questionnaire:
By email: planningpolicy@southdowns.gov.uk
By post: Planning Policy Team, South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9DH
Please note: Representations must be received by 23 June 2026 (23:59) and cannot normally be accepted after this date.
Further details are available in our Guidance Note on Making a Representation, and Statement of Representations Procedure.
View our Frequently Asked Questions on our website
What happens next
Following the close of consultation, the Local Plan and all duly made representations will be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination by a Planning Inspector.
Data protection
Representations will be made publicly available as part of the examination process. For information on how we handle personal data, please see the website for our privacy notice.
If you have any questions about the consultation, please contact the Planning Policy Team at planningpolicy@southdowns.gov.uk or by telephone at 01730 814810.