Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth

Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth

 News Release

For Immediate Release:  31 March 2010

National Park Celebrations

Group celebrates success after 15 years of campaigning

Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth’s (BHFOE) is celebrating the creation of the new South Downs National Park.  While Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs signed the Order in November last year which finalised the boundary of the National Park, it didn’t come into force until today.  At the same time the previous Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designations have been rescinded [1].

BHFOE first became involved with campaigning for a National Park in 1995, at the time when Brighton Council tried to sell off the downland estate [2].  It was particularly active, along with other FOE groups in the early years, before Government and its advisors accepted that there should be a National Park [3].  In the late 1990s it also joined the South Downs Campaign a network of organisations across Sussex and Hampshire campaigning for a National Park covering the widest possible area.

Chris Todd, spokesperson for BHFOE (and former South Downs Campaign officer) said:

 “Little did I realise in 1995 that I would be standing here today celebrating a South Downs National Park.  At the time it seemed a remote possibility and its achievement is something quite remarkable.  Many people are unaware quite how long this campaign has gone on for and the persistence and dedication it has demanded.  BHFOE’s involvement of 15 years seems small compared to some who have campaigned on this for over quarter of a century.

“The fact that we now have a South Downs National Park is a testament to all the hard work that has been put in over many, many years.  It hasn’t been easy and we’ve had to overcome a number obstacles and set-backs.  But the final result has been worth it.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

[1]   Tomorrow on 1 April, 2010, the South Downs National Park Authority will become the body legally responsible for managing the new South Downs National Park

[2]   BHFOE was part of a local network called Keep Our Downs Public which formed to oppose the sell-off of Brighton’s downland.  It was successful in doing this and in the process convinced the Council (with all-party support) to back the bid for a National Park.

[3]   BHFOE played a big part in the publicity around the ploughing up of the Downs at Offham Down by Farmer Harmer 3 weeks before the 1997 General Election.  It worked with other local groups, including Lewes Friends of the Earth and other Lewes based groups to monitor the site and to organise its unploughing.

The group, working with others, also helped organise various public meetings across the Downs, a big event at Stanmer Park and led on collecting 21,000 signatures that David Lepper, MP for Brighton Pavilion, presented to Parliament in January 1999.

Contact:  Chris Todd  01273 553044  or  07889 302229