PETERSFIELD people will get the chance to air their views on the proposed South Downs National Park at a special public meeting in the town on Thursday, January 3.

The meeting has been organised by Petersfield town councillors and will take place in the Festival Hall at 7-30 pm.

There will be time set aside for questions from the public.

Chairman of the planning committee, George Watkinson, said he hoped that many people in Petersfield would turn out for the meeting.

Town councillors hope it will arm their national park spokesman Phil Humphries with many views to take forward to the Countryside AgencyÕs Roadshow in the town on Wednesday, January 9 at The Festival Hall.

Countryside Agency board member Dr Victoria Edwards said: ÒThe skills, comments and knowledge of those who know and care for the downs are vitally important in creating this new national park.

ÒWe are seeking everybodyÕs views on where the park should be and how it should be run. We want to hear from everyone who cares about the South Downs.

ÒThere are major choices to be made, for example on how planning and development control can be carried out, on rights of way management, transport planning and landscape restoration.Ó

She added: ÒIt is most important that people tell us what they think and that they do so by February 28, 2002 when the consultation closes.Ó

The Petersfield Society says its strategy is to encourage as many people as possible to attend public meetings and exhibitions.

But chairman Vincent Edberg said the society believed inclusion in the national park was in the interests of the town.

ÒThe Petersfield Society will continue to argue for the inclusion of Petersfield within the national park and hope to help make the general public more aware of the arguments.Ó

East Hampshire District Council has also urged residents to have their say on the plans.

Spokesman Steve Bradley said: ÒEHDC is encouraging people to take part in the consultation no matter what views they take on the national park.

ÒThe council has conducted its own consultation through its Partners magazine and is currently analysing over 1,000 responses, which will also be forwarded to the Countryside Agency.Ó

Copies of the consultation document can be found on the Countryside AgencyÕs website http://www.countryside.gov.uk/proposednationalparks">www.countryside.gov.uk/proposednationalparks.