Overall, we support the South Downs Local Plan, especially the ecosystem services approach and the housing mix proposed. The South Downs was designated as a National Park in recognition of its exceptional natural beauty, for the opportunities to learn about and appreciate its special qualities, and as a landscape of national importance. Therefore, we believe that it is entirely appropriate to take a landscape-led approach to the formulation of its Local Plan. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that great weight should be given to conserving landscape and scenic beauty in national parks, which are afforded the highest status of protection. The fact that development allocations and policies are landscape capacity led, not target driven, therefore complies with the National Planning Policy Framework and the DEFRA Vision and Circular 2010 on National Parks. Overall, we believe that the plan has been positively prepared, is justified, effective, consistent with national policy and meets legal and procedural requirements.

For our full response see the attachment below.