(This note is not part of the Order)
The South Downs National Park (“the Park”) was designated on 18th December 2002 under Part 2 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 by the South Downs (National Park) Designation Order 2002, and varied on the 5th January 2004 by the South Downs National Park (Designation) Variation Order 2004. The designation was confirmed with modifications on 12th November 2009 and takes effect on 31st March 2010. Copies of these orders, and of the confirmed Order, are held by Natural England and DEFRA, and will be held by the authority established by this Order. Inspection may be arranged by contacting Natural England (33 North Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2PH; 01730 817285) or DEFRA (2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN; 0117372 8877).
A map showing the boundary of the Park can be seen on Natural England's website (www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/new/southdowns.aspx), and it is anticipated it will appear on the website of the new authority in due course.
This Order establishes the South Downs National Park Authority (“the Authority”) for the area of the Park and specifies the time when the Authority becomes the local planning authority for the Park (article 15).
In particular, this Order makes provision for—
(a) the establishment of the Authority on 1st April 2010 (article 3);
(b) the membership of the Authority. There are to be 27 members, 13 of whom will be appointed by the Secretary of State (6 of those members being parish members), and 14 will be appointed by the local authorities for the area of the Park (articles 4 and 5);
(c) the meetings and proceedings of the Authority (article 10 and Schedule 1);
(d) reports, returns and accounts (articles 12 and 13);
(e) staff (article 14 and Schedule 2);
(f) specifying 1st April 2011 for the purposes of section 4A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as the date on which the Authority becomes, for most purposes, the sole local planning authority for the Park, and in consequence of sections 68 to 70 of the Environment Act 1995, takes on various other statutory functions including planning authority functions under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, the Countryside Act 1968 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) (article 15);
(g) applying various enactments to the Authority (article 16 and Schedule 3); and
(h) transitional and supplemental matters (article 17 and Schedule 4).
No impact assessment has been undertaken for this instrument as it applies the existing arrangements in place for establishing National Park authorities to the new South Downs National Park and does not have any regulatory impact.