AMBITIOUS plans to restore and reunite areas of rare heathland in the South Downs National Park have been boosted by £48,300 development funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The development funding will help the South Downs National Park Authority carry out habitat surveys, build partnerships and involve communities before submitting an application for a full grant to carry out the project. The Heathlands Reunited project, led by the national park authority, aims to expand and improve existing heathland to cover an area greater than 1,200 football pitches. For full story, see this week's Liphook Herald.