South Downs National Park - Introduction

After decades of campaigning, the fight to designate the South Downs as a national park has finally succeeded.

On March 30, 2009, the Government gave the go-ahead for a 627-mile tract of land spreading from Eastbourne to Winchester to become England's ninth national park.

The news has been greeted with joy by those wanting to secure the highest level of protection under planning law.

It follows a 19-month public enquiry which itself came after a lengthy consultation period during which some councils in Sussex challenged the proposals.

The councils' main objection was that they wuold lose planning powers - but supporters say councils will continue to make planning decisions while ultimate control will rest with the national park authority.