Help protect an area of outstanding natural beauty 1 September 2007
The western Weald is a sweep of land which runs from Hampshire through to West Sussex.
The Weald's varied underlying geology gives rise to high biodiversity and includes rare heathland.
Most of it is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The western Weald was included in the proposals for the South Downs National Park first put forward in 2000.
Looking across the western Weald
A public inquiry into the proposals for a South Downs National Park followed.
The report of the inspector leading the inquiry has only just been published. The inspector said:
- A National Park should be established.
- Thewestern Weald should be excluded.
If the western Weald is excluded from the park, it will:
- Risk losing its AONB designation,
- Make parts of it vulnerable to development
- Threaten its rare heathland
The consultation on the inspector's report ends on 24 September, 2007.
What you can do
- Sign the petition to Gordon Brown .
- Visit the South Downs Campaign website for other actions you can take to help protect the western Weald.
© Chris Todd
