South Downs National Park launches policy consultation

Farmers operating within the South Downs National Park will be expected to plant more trees, help clean watercourses, and provide better public access as part of a new Partnership Management Plan.

The draft plan was put out to public consultation on Monday (9 June) and sets out a new strategy for the park, establishing seven main priorities, plus targets, for the five years to 2031.

These include:

• Increase tree cover by 888ha (equivalent to 1,400 football pitches)
• Deliver 25km of new footpaths (including five easy-access routes)
• Ensure 65-80% of land managers adopt “nature-friendly farming” on 10-15% of their land
• Achieve a 10% improvement in Water Framework Directive status
• Support farmers to implement “regenerative farming” across 8,000ha of the park
• Require 100 farms to have “carbon literacy” and “climate resilience” plans covering soil health and flood management.

Siôn McGeever, chief executive of the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “The natural world is changing and we’re totally dependent on it for our food, water and air.

“It’s the most precious thing we have – and that’s why this draft plan is so important.”

See also: Scottish government scraps Galloway national park plan

However, landowner groups have stressed the importance of ensuring farming and food production are not overlooked in the quest for environmental and social enhancement.

Country Land and Business Association rural adviser Lucy Charman said: “Farming is the lifeblood of the park, and food production is critical.

“The countryside isn’t a museum, and any plan must help unlock rural economic growth to enable farmers and businesses to diversify, grow food, build houses, enhance nature and create jobs.”

Key role

On close inspection, the draft plan does acknowledge the key role farmers play in helping the national park meets its objectives.

“Farmers and other land managers are vital to nature recovery,” it says.

“In a landscape that is nearly 70% farmed, we simply cannot do it without them.”

The report also acknowledges that farming is experiencing its biggest changes in decades and needs extra support.

“Agri-environment schemes are being redesigned, world markets are uncertain and climate change impacts are felt,” the draft plan says.

“Collaborative and innovative partnership working is already under way through farm clusters and other farming groups, and we must support and work with these key custodians for nature.”

Viable farms 

In particular, the report calls for greater certainty over future funding of the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme and other agri-environment schemes, while noting the role for private funding as well.

Farming also needs to be financially viable in its own right, it adds.

“Local food needs to be able to be sold locally with all the necessary infrastructure and supply chains required – from local abattoirs to food processing, distribution and shops selling goods directly to customers.”

The park authority is keen to hear from all stakeholders living in, working in, or otherwise using the South Downs National Park, including farmers.

Views on the draft consultation are invited by Friday 1 August.