The South Downs has been officially declared a National Park today, with celebrations taking place in Ditchling to mark the occasion.

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State, today joined members of the South Downs Society and other campaigning organisations to celebrate the confirmation of the South Downs as a National Park.

John Songhurst, Chairman of the South Downs Society, says: “This is a proud day for the Society and all those who have campaigned for the protection of the South Downs. The National Park means more can be done to protect our precious wildlife, and enable it to thrive. Landscape features such as prehistoric earthworks and the dewponds will be properly conserved. Villages will benefit too because National Parks create jobs and additional income.

“We look forward to working alongside our partners the CPRE, the Ramblers, the Wildlife Trusts and others, to help the National Park Authority with the challenges it will face in the coming years. The South Downs has been waiting for over sixty years for this protection, so there is a great deal to be done and the Authority has its work cut out. We will be presenting the Authority with suggestions for its priorities over the first months and years and offering the skills and assistance of our members with the tasks ahead.”

Hilary Benn announced in March that he had decided the South Downs should become a National Park, but it wasn’t until today that he signed the order confirming the designation order with modifications making the South Downs National Park a reality in law.

The reason for the delay was his wish that additional areas be included within the National Park, and today he announced that Alice Holt, Castle Goring, the Green Ridge and Patcham Recreation Ground, all areas considered at the reopened inquiry in August, are part of the National Park, as are small additional areas of land at Plumpton, Roedean Crescent and the A27 embankments.

The National Park Authority is intended to come into being on 1 April 2010 and spend a year preparing for 1 April 2011, when it will become operational. Its statutory duties will be to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area, and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the Park’s special qualities by the public. The Authority will also have a duty to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of the communities living with the National Park. National Parks are funded by Government, not by Council Tax payers, and is run by a board of members.