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VICTORY FOR THE SOUTH EAST COUNTRYSIDE. Two new national parks announced - the South Downs and the New Forest
29 September 1999
Friends of the Earth today warmly welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's announcement that there are to be two new National Parks established in the south east of England:the South Downs and the New Forest.
National Park status means that these areas of natural beauty and of national significance in terms of natural open areas, will benefit from more funding which will tackle issues such as managing recreation, provide more protection against damaging development schemes and give more power to local democracy by giving representation to Parish Councils.
Tony Juniper Policy and Campaigns Director for Friends of the Earth said:
“The establishment of these two national parks is an important and welcome achievement. Natural open countryside is under increasing pressure in the south and east of England and It' s high time this area had some better protected open land. This announcement will provide that and we congratulate the Government for it”.
Commenting from the South Downs Campaign group [1], Chris Todd of South East Friends of the Earth said:
“What better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Act which led to the first National Parks. It is great news for the South Downs and all who cherish this magnificent landscape. What the Government needs to do is to get on with designating the South Downs as soon as possible. The pressures on these areas are so great that too much could be lost in the meantime”.
Note to Editors:
[1] FOE has been campaigning for National Park status for the South Downs as part of the South Down Campaign Group which is made up of a coalition of local and national groups such as The Ramblers Association, Council for the Protection of Rural England, The Open Spaces Society, The Wildlife Trusts and Council for National Parks.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
