Category: SDNPA

South Downs Local Plan (Regulation 19) – Consultation Reminder

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.


South Downs National Park Authority – Local Plan

Have your say on vital placemaking plan

The South Downs National Park Authority has published the South Downs Local Plan (Proposed Submission) for Regulation 19 (Publication) consultation.

This is the final consultation stage before the plan is submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination by a Planning Inspector.  This consultation stage differs from previous consultations on the new Local Plan, as the Planning Inspector will be interested in comments related to the Local Plan’s soundness and legal compliance.  

Consultation period: 12th May to 23rd June 2026 (closing at 23:59)

Documents published:

  • 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 the consultation documents on our website

Hard copies of the documents are available for inspection at our principal offices during opening hours:

Alternatively, the documents can be viewed at the following libraries during their 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

If you are having trouble accessing the documents, or if you require the consultation documents in an alternative format, please contact the Planning Policy Team via email at planningpolicy@southdowns.gov.uk

Making representations – During this stage, comments should focus on:

  • Whether the Local Plan meets the legal requirements; and
  • Whether it is sound (positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy).

Representations must be submitted by Tuesday 23 June at 23:59 and cannot normally be accepted after this date.

Publicity – If you are able, please help promote the consultation by sharing this poster

How to comment – We strongly encourage all representations to be made online using our consultation portal: https://southdowns-consult.objective.co.uk

Have you say on the consultation portal

Submitting comments online is the quickest and most efficient way to make a representation and helps us to process all representations promptly and effectively.

If you are unable to comment online, representations may alternatively be submitted using the Representation Questionnaire, and returned:

Further details on how to comment, and what matters can be raised at this stage, and how representations will be handled are set out in our Guidance Note on Making a Representation, and Statement of Representations Procedure.

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.

Further information – Join a drop‑in event or online session to learn about the consultation and how to comment.

Drop‑in events:

Lewes Depot, Pinwell Road, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2JS
Wednesday 20 May 4–7pm

Petersfield Festival Hall, Heath Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4EA
Thursday 21 May  4–7pm

Online appointments (pre‑booking required) via the Eventbrite website

5‑minute slots available:
• from 12:00 on 3 June
• from 17:00 on 4 June

You can also view our Frequently Asked Questions on our website.   

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.

The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) Partnership Management Plan for the Future

There are many people who play a role in looking after the National Park. The Partnership Management Plan (PMP)  is a key document that sets out the priorities for the South Downs National Park for the next five years and how we will work together to achieve this shared vision.

The world is facing both climate and nature crises at a time when people have never needed access to green space more. The South Downs National Park is already being impacted and needs an ambitious vision for the next five years to meet these crises and to deliver for nature, climate, people and place. This is your National Park, and we need your input to decide what the shared priorities for the next five years should be. Over the coming months there will be different opportunities to get involved.

Resources for Change are working with the SDNPA to ensure we hear from as many voices as possible but to do that we really need your support. We think that your views around what the National Park does next are critical and so please do sign up or encourage others to do the same and help create a plan for the future that works for nature and for everyone.

Please see the table of upcoming events below and a link to the SDNPA website were you can complete a short survey.

Phase 2: Priority outcomes and action planning – Everyone is welcome to attend events listed below.

DateTimeVenue
Wednesday 5th March 
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE		7pm – 9pmONLINE
Thursday 6th March
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE		10am – 3pmStroud Village Hall
Monday 10th March
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE		10am – 3pmPulborough Village Hall
Tuesday 11th March
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE		7pm – 9pmONLINE
Wednesday 12th March
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE		7pm – 9pmONLINE
Friday 14th March
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE		10am – 3pmLinklater Pavilion, Lewes

Together for Nature, Climate and People – South Downs National Park Authority