South Downs north of Worthing

A good summary of all the issues to do with landscape can be found on Natural England’s website.  Natural England are the Government’s official advisers on the natural environment and give advice on landscape, biodiversity and access.

South Downs from near Wootton Manor

Their website explains why landscapes matter and how our history and culture has shaped the landscapes around us today.  It describes how landscapes are dealt with in planning and what the European Landscape Convention, which the UK signed up to in 2006, means for us.

National Character Areas

The A27 predominantly impacts upon the South Downs National Character Area (125) which runs the length of the South Downs but also includes some urban areas such as Brighton.  However, the Low Weald National Character Area (121) is also relevant for the section from Lewes to Polegate where the A27 runs along the boundary of the two areas.  Further west, around Arundel and Chichester the A27 runs through the South Coast Plain National Character Area (126).

Local Character Assessments

The South Downs National Park Authority has a whole host of information on integrated character assessment, going into greater detail than is possible at the national level.

South Downs Partnership Management Plan

The South Downs Partnership Management Plan outlines the approach that partners have agreed to work together on in the South Downs National Park.  Page 31 onwards outlines the policy approach to landscape.