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South Downs park 'to be unveiled' South Downs National Park agreed
(9 minutes later)
Ministers are due to announce the creation of a South Downs National Park later - the day after the 60th anniversary of its recommendation. Ministers have announced the creation of a South Downs National Park - almost 60 years to the day since it was recommended.
The South Downs, covering parts of Sussex and Hampshire, was among 12 areas identified for national parks in the 1940s.The South Downs, covering parts of Sussex and Hampshire, was among 12 areas identified for national parks in the 1940s.
Environment Minister Hilary Benn is due to say it will become England's 10th national park. Environment Minister Hilary Benn has said the area will become England's 10th national park.
He is also expected to clarify where its boundaries will lie. He is expected to clarify later where its boundaries will lie.
The planned national park was the subject of a public inquiry after changes to the boundaries were proposed.The planned national park was the subject of a public inquiry after changes to the boundaries were proposed.
Some people have been waiting for this for over 60 years Chris ToddSome people have been waiting for this for over 60 years Chris Todd
Chris Todd, manager of the South Downs Campaign which has fought for national park status for the Downs since 1990, said he was confident the announcement would be good news. Before the announcement, Chris Todd, manager of the South Downs Campaign which has fought for national park status for the Downs since 1990, said he was confident it would be good news.
"It's going to be a historic day," he said. "Some people have been waiting for this for over 60 years. We feel quite young having only campaigned for 20 years.""It's going to be a historic day," he said. "Some people have been waiting for this for over 60 years. We feel quite young having only campaigned for 20 years."
Sandstone forestsSandstone forests
On Monday, the 60th anniversary of the introduction of laws to protect rural areas, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) urged the government to go ahead with the planned park.On Monday, the 60th anniversary of the introduction of laws to protect rural areas, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) urged the government to go ahead with the planned park.
The exact boundary for the national park has been the subject of debate for a number of years.The exact boundary for the national park has been the subject of debate for a number of years.
The inclusion of one part in particular, the Western Weald, lying between Petersfield and Pulborough, has divided people.The inclusion of one part in particular, the Western Weald, lying between Petersfield and Pulborough, has divided people.
The area, which is made up of grassland and sandstone forests, was not included in the original 60-year-old report because it was geographically different to the rest of the South Downs.The area, which is made up of grassland and sandstone forests, was not included in the original 60-year-old report because it was geographically different to the rest of the South Downs.
The details of which areas may be included are likely to go out to further consultation.The details of which areas may be included are likely to go out to further consultation.