LOCAL Liberal Democrats have thrown their political weight behind the South Downs National Park campaign in a bid to get the Western Weald, which contains Woolmer Forest and the Longmoor Ranges, back inside the boundary. At a meeting on Wednesday senior Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne, visited the Longmoor Ranges at the request of Adam Carew, the district and county councillor for Woolmer and Longmoor. The controversial proposal to cut the National Park boundary and exclude many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, has been met with criticism by councillors and residents alike, and is now being challenged by Mr Huhne, who is the shadow environmental spokesman for the Liberal Democrats and Adam Carew. Mr Carew said: "Chris and I had both signed up to the South Downs Campaign individually, but have teamed together to draw attention to this very significant area. "We're hoping that with enough pressure from support groups, local councils and political parties, the government will see sense and rectify the situation." Woolmer Forest is a Site of Special Scientific Interest as it is home to a number of internationally protected amphibians and reptiles. It is the only place in the whole of the UK to contain all six species of Britain's breeding reptiles and six species of breeding amphibians. The Longmoor Ranges provide the habitat for several species of rare birds. It is also the site of a major Roman battle, numerous bronze age burials mounds and major Roman and Bronze Age hoards. MP Chris Huhne, who came second to Sir Menzies Campbell in the leadership election of 2006, said: "The South Downs National Park has enjoyed overwhelming public support, but that support is founded on the basis that the landscapes found in the two existing 'Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty' will be wholly contained within the new national park. "As a South Hampshire MP, I know how important this area is to many of my constituents. They enjoy spending time here, and it is a cause that must be supported. "The suggested exclusion of the Western Weald, where many people live, was entirely unexpected and has caused much concern within local communities. It is completely bizarre that this area should be left out of the National Park." Also at the meeting was Margaret Paren, the South Downs spokesman for the Campaign for Rural England (CPRE). She said: "The inspector found, based on the landscape assessors report, that this area does not meet the 'area of beauty' criteria because it has been degraded by noise, and the use of the Army on the land. "What he didn't consider though, is the fact that in the year 2000, this area had 30-40,000 visitors. The numbers of walkers, cyclists and nature spotters clearly show that's not the case." Following the announcement that the Western Weald was to be left outside of the national park, there are now concerns that Areas of Natural Outstanding Beauty (AONB) in the area will lose their protection. Mrs Paren said: "The criteria used to judge areas for inclusion in national parks is the same criteria used to gain AONB status. "It stands to reason that the areas now with AONB status could be stripped of that protection, as they're not seen to be beautiful enough to be included in the national park. It is a very real risk." The period of public consultation has now ended, but it is hoped that the issue will return for a public inquiry following the continued pressure from both local and national support groups.
