South Downs Virtual Information Centre

SOUTH DOWNS PLANNING CONFERENCE DEBATES SUSTAINABILITY

Release Date: 30/09/04 Issued by: Jane Brace For more information contact:
	Martin Small msmall@southdowns-aonb.gov.uk

	Planners and environmental experts will be amongst those discussing sustainable development and the South Downs at the 2004 South Downs Planning Conference. This meeting will be held on 7th October at Southwick Leisure Centre, Old Barn Way, Southwick. In the morning, sessions will include: - A representative from the South East England Regional Assembly, talking about the Integrated Regional Strategy. - The Hampshire Natural Light Partnership, a renewable energy project based around Petersfield. - The Hampshire Natural Resources Initiative, looking at waste management and waste as a resource. - The Sussex Downs Conservation Board and East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Joint Advisory Committee discussing transport issues across the South Downs In the afternoon, sessions will include: - A presentation on low impact development from ‘The Land is Ours'. - Brighton & Hove City Council discussing incorporating sustainability into urban developments. - Three workshops held on the themes of waste and transport, renewable energy and the sustainability of the south east, run by the Commission on Sustainable Development in the South East. Martin Small, Planning Manager for the Sussex Downs Conservation Board, said: “This will be an important forum for debate on how we meet the challenge of development pressures on this internationally important landscape, and at the same time sustain and enhance the South Downs for future generations.” For more information, please contact Martin Small on 01243 58700. Press are invited to attend the conference, which starts at 10.00 a.m.

	Notes to Editor 1. For press enquiries please contact Catherine James on (01323) 870280 or cjames@southdowns-aonb.gov.uk 2. For further information about the South Downs Planning Conference or full conference agenda please contact Martin Small on 07866 962562 or msmall@southdowns-aonb.gov.uk 3. Getting there: Public Transport: the centre is within 5 minutes walk from both Southwick and Fishergate railway stations. Location map for Southwick Leisure Centre: http://www.adur.gov.uk/adurs-services/leisure/southwick-lc/location.htm 4. The South Downs Virtual Information Centre can be found at www.vic.org.uk 5. The East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) covers an area of 386 sq km encompassing the western end of the South Downs from Petersfield to Winchester, and also includes the western edge of the Weald and the Rivers Meon and Rother. The Sussex Downs AONB is one of 41 protected landscapes in England and Wales. It covers nearly 400 square miles (1,000 square km) and 1,364 miles (2,200 km) of rights of way, stretching from the Hampshire border to Eastbourne.