A five-year masterplan has been unveiled by the South Downs National Park Authority today, to build the critical natural infrastructure we need to tackle the challenges we all face of nature loss, pollution in our rivers, flooding, water shortages, and the ever-increasing risk of wildfires.
The ambitious plan for the South Downs National Park includes helping more young people take action for nature, being a more welcoming and accessible space for all, and protecting and improving our precious dark skies. It comes as a government assessment on national security, released last week, concluded that continued biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse pose serious risks for food security, energy, water supplies, and geopolitical stability.
A range of ambitious targets have been agreed, including increasing tree canopy and woodland cover by 4,200 football pitches (2,625 hectares) by 2031 to help store carbon, soak up water and create vital new havens for wildlife.
A goal of restoring or creating more than 3,300 hectares of wildlife-rich habitats by 2031 has been agreed – an area the size of Worthing or Hayling Island. These new havens are outside current protected nature sites and will help significantly boost regional biodiversity in the long-term and increase resilience to higher temperatures and flooding.
Together with the extra woodland cover, new wildlife havens and other measures, the National Park will be able to absorb more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and help to tackle climate change.
You can access the Partnership Management Plan 2026-31 here.
The plan is for the whole National Park and can only be delivered in partnership with farmers, landowners, local authorities, the health sector, water companies, businesses, schools, charities and communities.
We are pleased to say that PeCAN was involved in the consultation process, and the new plan has been approved by us.
Greg Ford, Chair of Trustees, said: “PeCAN welcomes the new PMP and especially the aim to help people and businesses in the park shift to a low-carbon future. The new climate goal is a real step forward: it will help to bring new jobs and cost savings to the Park and, importantly, reduce the impact of climate change on the beautiful South Downs. As a community group, we look forward to supporting the PMP's delivery through our schools outreach and other community projects."