TELEVISION presenter and adventurer Ben Fogle has visited the western Weald, the area threatened by exclusion from the proposed South Downs National Park. The new president of the Council for National Parks is the latest high-profile figure to visit the threatened areas, which include Petersfield and Liss. Surrounding villages Stroud, Steep, Sheet, Rogate and Rake are also under threat of exclusion. Mr Fogle was shown round the beautiful site by revered actor Brian Blessed, the vice-president of the Council for Nationals Parks, and members of the South Downs Campaign. His visit followed hot on the heels of MP Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, and leading author Bill Bryson. In Hampshire, Conservative MPs have also backed the campaign. Mr Fogle warned that if the western Weald was left out of the national park, there would be great uncertainty over its future as much of it would be vulnerable to the loss of national protection. And he reiterated the warning made by Sir Martin Doughty, chairman of Natural England, that this could leave the area vulnerable to development. The South Downs Campaignis welcomed Mr Fogle's visit and believed it highlighted an issue of national importance. Mr Fogle said: "This area is incredibly beautiful and surely meets the criteria for inclusion in the South Downs National Park. I can't understand how anyone can say otherwise. "The inquiry inspector has and as a result this area is under real threat. If we don't get the western Weald back in the national park, then parts of it could be lost forever. "Not only that, if the inspector's decision is left unchallenged it has ramifications far beyond the western Weald and for all nationally-designated landscapes." Robin Crane, chairman of the South Downs Campaign, added: "We are grateful to Ben for sparing the time to see for himself what all the fuss is about. "Coming on the back of so many visits by other people, his presence highlights just how important this issue is. The frightening thing is that West Sussex County Council and Chichester District Council are still in denial about this threat. "Worse still, their insistence that the boundary be drawn even closer to the chalk hills could jeopardise the future of more of the western Weald." He added: "Once again, we strongly urge them to think again before it is too late."
