Western Weald

The Western Weald is an area of countryside in Hampshire and West Sussex, England. It contains a mixture of woodland and heathland areas. [http://outdoors.blog.co.uk/2007/09/22/western_weald_excluded_from_south_downs_~3022366 Outdoors blog commentary on the Western Weald] accessed 7 June 2008] It lies to the south of the towns of Bordon, Haslemere and Rake and to the west of the town of Pulborough. It includes the towns of Liss and Petersfield on its western boundary and Midhurst on its southern boundary, and includes the town of Petworth, Blackdown and the Woomer Forest. The South Downs lie to its south and west. [http://www.ramblers.org.uk/countryside/nationalpark/southdowns.html Ramblers Association campaign for South Downs National Park] accessed 7 June 2008] [http://www.sussexwt.org.uk/news/page00052.htm Sussex Wildlife Trust 'Save the Western Weald' page] accessed 7 June 2008]

It has recently come to prominence as a disputed area for inclusion or exclusion from the proposed South Downs National Park - the Inspector at the Public Inquiry into the National Park concluded that it should be excluded, in large part because of its different geology from the chalky South Downs. This was disputed by a number of organisations, including Natural England, the Ramblers' Association, Sussex Wildlife Trust and the Campaign for National Parks who pointed to the diverse geology of existing National parks of England and Wales such as the Lake District and Peak District. The Inquiry re-opened in February 2008 and its result is currently awaited. [http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/press/news2008/110208.htm Natural England press release about the Western Weald] accessed 7 June 2008] [http://www.cnp.org.uk/5_News_and_Media.html Campaign for National Parks news page] accessed 7 June 2008]
East Hampshire District Council also supported the inclusion of the Western Weald within the proposed National Park. [http://www.easthants.gov.uk/ehdc/newsandvacancies.nsf/0/896A379D4D3EAAB58025738B0052ED30?OpenDocument East Hampshire District Council press release on the re-opening of the Public Inquiry] accessed 7 June 2008]

West Sussex County Council have argued largely in favour of the exclusion of the Western Weald, indeed proposing an even smaller South Downs National Park than that proposed by the Inquiry Inspector. [http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/ccm/content/environment/proposed-south-downs-national-park/west-sussex-county-councils-position-on-the-future-of-the-south-downs.en West Sussex County Council's position on the future of the South Downs] accessed 7 June 2008]

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