TACKLING climate change, helping nature flourish, supporting the rural economy, creating a National Park for all and providing a green health and wellbeing service are among the priorities of a five-year plan being launched today by the South Downs National Park Authority.

Ten key outcomes have been outlined in the new Partnership Management Plan, which sets out a vision for the future of the park, which stretches from Winchester to Eastbourne in Sussex.

The 73-page masterplan focuses on bringing together environmental organisations, land managers, farmers, community organisations, businesses and volunteers to make the South Downs National Park an even better place.

As the National Park launches a revamped website, the 10 outcomes will be brought alive through the “Your National Park” campaign, which features a champion or hero who is helping to deliver on each of the goals. The first of the heroes, Paul Gorringe, a Ranger from Brighton & Hove City Council, is helping to deliver on Outcome 1: Landscape and Natural Beauty.

Margaret Paren, chairman of the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “This ambitious plan is a shared endeavour among all those who love and care for this very special National Park to positively shape and secure its future. It also fully supports the Government’s objectives in support of the environment and responds to the challenges ahead for National Parks, not least those related to climate change and ensuring nature and our communities flourish.”

Dozens of partners from across all areas of work have committed to helping to deliver the shared objectives, including the RSPB, Sussex Police, Historic England, parish councils, Visit Hampshire and Forestry England.

The Partnership Management Plan focuses on 10 outcomes:

1. Landscape and Natural Beauty

Work is under way between a range of partners to create a “people and nature network” that identifies key areas for investment in biodiversity, local economy, climate change adaptation and flood risk management.

2. Increasing Resilience

Improve the soil and water of the South Downs through innovations such as winter cover crops, which can reduce nitrate pollution by 90 per cent.

Improve the quantity and quality of trees in the National Park. For instance more than 1,500 disease-resistant Elms have already been planted, with thousands more planned for the future.

3. Habitats and Species

Create corridors for species movement and enlarge existing habitats for wildlife. For instance the lottery-funded Heathlands Reunited project is seeing 11 partners join forces to create and improve heathland at 41 sites across Hampshire and Sussex covering an area greater than 1,200 football pitches.

Tackle invasive species, pests and diseases that threaten our habitats.

4. Arts and Heritage

Increase investment in the protection and interpretation of cultural heritage through Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy money.

5. Outstanding Experiences

Enable everyone to experience the National Park and reduce barriers (physical, economic and social). Projects include Miles Without Stiles, creating fully accessible routes for those with limited mobility and families with young children, and the Authority’s growing family outreach programme.

6. Lifelong Learning

The highly successful South Downs Learning Network will continue to deliver high-quality learning outside the classroom for young people. Activities will include designing programmes of study with headteachers, delivering teacher training and INSET day sessions with school staff, and working with universities to upskill trainee teachers.

7. Health and Wellbeing

Continue to build partnerships with health bodies and local networks to encourage social prescribing and a better appreciation of the South Downs as a place for healthy outdoor activity and relaxation.

8. Creating Custodians

Increase volunteering, including more Youth Action Days where young people aged 16 to 25 can get hands-on conservation experience.

9. Great Places to Live

Increase affordable housing stock, with a focus on high-quality design and using local sustainable materials.

10. Great places to work

Work with Government to increase the amount of business support and ensure a good supply of employment space through the South Downs Local Plan.

The new Partnership Management Plan builds on the foundation of the South Downs National Park’s first PMP, which covered the period 2014 to 2019.

The new PMP can be viewed in detail at www.southdowns.gov.uk/PartnershipManagement